Patients in the northeast of England are being offered finger-prick bloods tests at selected optical practices as part of a research project to see whether this could help detect cases of diabetes before symptoms appear.
The project is being carried out by PhD student Jenny Howse from the Centre for Integrated Health Care Research at Durham University and is taking place in a number of practices in the area until 1,000 people have been screened.
Howse explained that patients attending the participating practices are given a list of factors that would put them at risk of developing diabetes. If they have any of these, they are offered the opportunity to have their blood glucose measured. Those with slightly elevated levels are told there is a small risk of developing diabetes and are advised to visit their GP routinely. Those with high blood glucose levels are advised to see the GP soon. The referrals are based on the Diabetes UK protocol and other studies.
Any practice in the north east interested in participating in the project can contact Jenny Howse at j.h.howse@durham.ac.uk.