In May 2008, the Institute of Diabetes for Older People (IDOP) was officially launched and is the primary focus for clinical research within the Postgraduate Medical School at the University of Bedfordshire.
The following summarise the main areas of research activity. Many of these projects are at the preliminary stage or involve preparing good quality research grant applications.
This is work undertaken by Ali Tomlin, a doctoral student in the Postgraduate Medical School who is examining the relationship between changes in cognitive function and self-care ability in patients with diabetes.
This follows on from previous research undertaken by her supervisors, Dr Koula Asimakopoulou and Professor Sinclair.
Recent studies have suggested that patients with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease (periodontitis). This may worsen glucose control and in consequence increase the severity of gum disease.
This planned collaborative study with the nationally-renowned Eastman Dental Institute in London will examine whether patients routinely referred to a dental access clinic with moderate to severe periodontitis have an increase prevalence of diabetes.
Early detection of diabetes in these patients is likely to be associated with significant health benefits accrued from preventing further deterioration in health and the prevention of complications.
This project is sponsored by Numico/Danone, a major nutrition company based in the Netherlands.
Approximately 8-10 centres in the UK are being set up to conduct clinical trials in nutritional intervention in frail older subjects, many of whom will have diabetes.
This will be the first network of its kind and should facilitate a novel approach to these types of studies.
In 2005, Geronto-Net was established as the first EU-wide Network of academic centres of excellence in conducting research in older people.
The combined clinical unit at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and the Postgraduate Medical School were accepted as part of the Network.
More than 25 centres in Europe work together on developing research projects with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease, nutrition, and frailty. Diabetes was chosen as a research theme and Professor Sinclair was appointed to lead this programme.
An early development was the publication of a diabetes minimum data set. The University of Toulouse is the headquarters for Geronto-Net which is led by the internationally-renowned Professor Bruno Vellas.
