Research
Ely Study
The Ely Study is a long term study of diabetes and other metabolic disorders that began in 1990. Its main aims are to find out:
- how many people have diabetes
- the rate at which people develop diabetes over time
- whether specific markers can predict the risk of developing diabetes in the future
- ways of quantifying and specifying the role of key behaviours in adult life on the development of diabetes, particularly diet and physical activity
- what can be done to prevent diabetes.
Over 900 people without diabetes have been studied every five years. They have had detailed measurements of glucose tolerance and metabolic characterisation with particular focus on the measurement of energy expenditure.
An additional 1,000 people have recently been added to this study as part of the Ely Retrospective Study.
Ely Retrospective Study
The purpose of this study is to help determine whether earlier detection and treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders is of benefit. A group of 1,000 people were compared against the group of people in the original Ely Study who were screened for diabetes. This provided valuable information about the costs and benefits of screening for diabetes.
Findings
Between 1990 and 1992, a total of 1,122 people were examined. They had their height, weight, and blood pressure taken. They also provided a blood sample and completed an oral glucose tolerance test. Of these people, 51 (4.5%) were classified as having newly diagnosed diabetes and 188 (16.8%) had impaired glucose intolerance.
Between 1994 and 1996, 937 of the 1,071 people who were non-diabetic were re-examined. People with a family history of diabetes who were in the top quarter for fasting glucose and total proinsulin had a 30% risk of progressing to diabetes in 4½ years. Therefore this subgroup is at high risk of developing diabetes and may benefit from some form of care to prevent them developing diabetes.
Volunteers have recently been approached for a third time to get follow-up data 10 years after the start of the study. Analysis of this data is ongoing.
