Diabetes trial hailed a ‘game changer’

A study carried out in Birmingham which will see children tested for type 1 diabetes at the earliest change has been hailed a ‘game changer’.

The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes (Elsa) study, led by the University of Birmingham and co-funded by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D, has shown finger prick blood testing can spot the disease before symptoms emerge.

Children aged between three and 13 were invited to take part in the trial and they provided a finger print blood sample.

Those identified as potentially having a risk of the disease then had blood or sugar tolerance tests.

A total of 17,931 tests were carried out and more than 200 children were found to be at risk or have markers in their blood indicating the risk of type 1 diabetes.

The trials will be extended to a second phase which will involve children from the wider age range from two to 17.

As part of this phase, NHS clinics will be set up to support families whose children are found to be at risk.

The University of Birmingham said more than a quarter of children aren’t diagnosed with type 1 diabetes until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially fatal condition that requires urgent hospital treatment.

Early detection can dramatically reduce emergency diagnoses and could give children access to new immunotherapy treatments that can delay the need for insulin for years.

Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, and Executive Director of Birmingham Health Partners said: “This is a game-changer.

“This trial shows we can spare countless children the trauma of an emergency diagnosis, ensure they get early support, and potentially give them access to revolutionary new treatments that could delay or even prevent type 1 diabetes.

“Dr Parth Narendran and his team deserve huge credit; and this breakthrough shows what we can achieve in Birmingham.

“We have world-class clinicians and scientists working side-by-side, backed by great innovation infrastructure and a vibrant, diverse and affordable city – and, as a result, we are changing lives with next generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical care.”

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “I’m very proud to see this impactful research being done by University of Birmingham.

“They are improving the lives of children by developing more effective early screening techniques for type-1 diabetes.

“Thanks to all the families that volunteered for the trial – and those that take part in future studies.”