Pennine Acute Trust top of the tree in diabetes research study

Professor Wiles is pictured with patient Alan Rowlinson

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been named as the top recruiter of patients in the UK for a high quality diabetes study.

The Diabetes Centre, at North Manchester General Hospital, has been successful in recruiting 25 patients to the study which is looking to see whether a new drug improves the cardiovascular outcomes for patients with diabetes who have an increased risk of vascular disease.

The announcement comes as NHS organisations and local community groups across the country support and mark national Diabetes Week (9-15 June).

The EXSCEL (EXenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering trial) involves research into the study drug Bydureon, to see if it has favourable or unfavourable effects on vascular events when used to treat diabetes in patients with a higher chance of developing vascular disease.

The drug, which is an exciting addition to diabetes treatment, can offer the prospect of weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control.

Patients who agree to help with the study have to be screened to assess whether they fulfil the recruitment criteria and to ensure that there are no particular hazards for them as individuals. They are patients with type 2 diabetes who have previously suffered a stroke, heart attack, angina, or with vascular disease which is affecting their lower limbs or are considered to be at high cardiovascular risk.

Professor Phil Wiles, Consultant Physician, is leading, together with Professor Cuong Dang, the work at North Manchester General Hospital with a team of research staff, who started recruiting the first patients to this study in November 2011.

The North Manchester diabetes research team includes Deborah Hall who, with Professor Wiles, has been coordinating diabetes research at North Manchester since 1994 and Rachael Kirkham who joined the team as research nurse last year. Her main project has been to identify and enrol suitable patients into this study. In recognition of her outstanding achievements she was short listed for Newcomer of the Year at the 2013 CLRN Annual Awards, whilst Professor Wiles won the Lifetime Achievement award, recognising his contribution to diabetes research over the years.

He said: “Patients taking part in research studies seem to enjoy being part of the process that brings potential new drugs and treatments to patients. Medicine cannot advance without research and these patients seem to gain satisfaction from being part of the process and contributing to “the greater good.”

Mr Alan Rowlinson, a 69-year-old lawyer from Alkrington, who has had diabetes since 2002, was recruited into the study in August 2012. He felt he wanted to be involved in research because his experience of illness in several members of his family has encouraged him to help further the knowledge of diseases (particularly diabetes) and their treatments. He has previously helped in the THRIVE study conducted by the cardiology department in the Trust. He said: “I look forward to my regular visits to the diabetes centre and being part of answering important research questions. I enjoy it more than going to the pub!”

Patients who are on the trial are allocated either to the study drug or a placebo, which they inject under the skin for up to four years. Neither the patients nor the staff conducting the study knows to which group any patient has been allocated.

Professor Wiles continued: “All other treatments for the patients continue the same and the doctors and nurses at the Trust strive to achieve the best possible control of their diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and other aspects of their treatment and education.

“These cardiovascular outcome studies are particularly important for diabetes patients for whom vascular disease is a real threat and fear. Good recruitment into studies is really important to ensure their success in giving us answers regarding the effectiveness and safety of new treatments. To be the top recruiter is an added bonus and a great morale booster for the staff and patients involved. The diabetes centre at North Manchester General Hospital has experience and a good reputation for recruiting and conducting studies of new drugs and treatments and it is pleasing for us all as it shows we’ve ‘done good!’”

The research teams within The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will be supporting national Diabetes Week from 9 to 15 June this year. This year’s theme is research into diabetes.

For more information on the research, contact Deborah Hall, diabetes research manager on 0161 720 2090.