MRC Epidemiology Unit
By Dr Jean Strelitz, MRC Postdoctoral Fellow, MRC Epidemiology Unit People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and premature death. People with type 2 diabetes are increasingly encouraged to lose weight, as evidence from numerous clinical trials shows that weight loss substantially improves blood sugar levels. Indeed, a recent trial […]
Type 2 diabetes weight loss recommendations could be harmful for some, depending on BMI
In this article for The Conversation, Dr Jean Strelitz discuss research showing how advising weight loss to all people with type 2 diabetes may not be the best approach. People with type 2 diabetes are often encouraged to lose weight, as this can help return their blood sugar to normal levels. But few studies have […]
Type 2 diabetes remission possible with ‘achievable’ weight loss
People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge. The findings suggest that it is possible to recover from the disease without intensive […]
Type 2 diabetes: small reduction in alcohol, big reduction in heart disease risk
Jean Strelitz writes about new research which indicates that reducing alcohol use by as little as two units per week may have long-term health benefits for people with diabetes. This post was originally published in The Conversation. People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and […]
Patients with an ‘empathic’ GP at reduced risk of early death
Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a lower risk of early death if they have a doctor who they describe as showing empathy towards them, a new study from the University of Cambridge has found. Empathy is an important concept within healthcare and as such is emphasised in policy, codes of practice, […]
Type 2 diabetes: losing even a small amount of weight may lower heart disease risk
People with type 2 diabetes are often encouraged to lose weight. And recent studies have shown that losing a lot of weight can reverse diabetes, meaning the person no longer has to take drugs to treat their disease. Unfortunately, most people struggle to lose large amounts of weight and keep the weight off. However, there […]
Large studies find screening reduces mortality for those with detectable type 2 diabetes but not for general population
Three large trials published today involving researchers from the MRC Epidemiology Unit show that screening for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors may not reduce mortality and cardiovascular disease in the general population. However, for individuals diagnosed with diabetes, screening is associated with a reduction in mortality and cardiovascular disease risk. The papers are […]
Genetic approach could help identify side-effects at early stages of drug development
An approach that could reduce the chances of drugs failing during the later stages of clinical trials has been demonstrated by a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The technique involves identifying genetic variants that mimic the action of a drug on its intended target and then checking in large […]
Early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes may reduce heart disease and mortality
Screening to identify type 2 diabetes followed by early treatment could result in substantial health benefits, according to new research published today in Diabetes Care that combined large scale clinical observations and innovative computer modelling. The study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan and the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, used data […]
ADDITION Study research wins BMJ ‘Research Paper of the Year’ Award
Research led by Prof Simon Griffin and Dr Rebecca Simmons at the MRC Epidemiology Unit has won the British Medical Journal’s award for ‘Research Paper of the Year’ 2013. Professor Simon Griffin said: Our study was the first robust evaluation of diabetes screening and the results suggest its effectiveness may have been overestimated. Based on […]