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Weekly diabetes jab hopes raised | Weekly diabetes jab hopes raised |
(2 days later) | |
It may be possible to replace twice a day jabs to control type 2 diabetes with a shot given just once a week, research suggests. | It may be possible to replace twice a day jabs to control type 2 diabetes with a shot given just once a week, research suggests. |
Scientists found a new formulation of the drug exenatide gave better control of blood sugar levels than the current twice-daily regimen. | Scientists found a new formulation of the drug exenatide gave better control of blood sugar levels than the current twice-daily regimen. |
The University of Toronto finding, published in The Lancet, could have a big impact on diabetes management. | The University of Toronto finding, published in The Lancet, could have a big impact on diabetes management. |
But experts said research was needed to confirm the findings. | But experts said research was needed to confirm the findings. |
The research will need to be extended and the results confirmed before we will see any change in current practice Dr Iain FrameDiabetes UK | The research will need to be extended and the results confirmed before we will see any change in current practice Dr Iain FrameDiabetes UK |
Over 30 weeks 259 patients were either given a shot of a long-acting form of exenatide once a week, or had the traditional twice-a-day jabs. | Over 30 weeks 259 patients were either given a shot of a long-acting form of exenatide once a week, or had the traditional twice-a-day jabs. |
The impact of the treatments was assessed by measuring levels of a molecule called haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the patient's blood. | |
HbA1c is formed when sugar in the form of glucose sticks to haemoglobin - the molecule which carries oxygen around the body. | |
The less effective the body's control of sugar metabolism, the more HbA1c will be present in the blood. | |
Patients who were given the once-a-week jab registered a bigger average drop in HbA1c levels than those who had the twice daily jabs. A higher proportion of them also hit the target level for HbA1c during the study. | Patients who were given the once-a-week jab registered a bigger average drop in HbA1c levels than those who had the twice daily jabs. A higher proportion of them also hit the target level for HbA1c during the study. |
The once-a-week jab was also linked to fewer side effects. | The once-a-week jab was also linked to fewer side effects. |
Exenatide works by increasing secretion of insulin - the hormone which breaks down sugar - following a meal. | Exenatide works by increasing secretion of insulin - the hormone which breaks down sugar - following a meal. |
It also suppresses release of another hormone glucagon, which helps stop the liver from overproducing sugar when it is unneeded. | It also suppresses release of another hormone glucagon, which helps stop the liver from overproducing sugar when it is unneeded. |
The authors conclude: "Exenatide once weekly resulted in significantly greater improvements in glycaemic control than exenatide given twice a day, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and similar reductions in bodyweight." | The authors conclude: "Exenatide once weekly resulted in significantly greater improvements in glycaemic control than exenatide given twice a day, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and similar reductions in bodyweight." |
Hypoglycaemia is a condition caused by blood sugar levels being too low. It produces a range of symptoms, including palpitations, shaking and sweatiness. | Hypoglycaemia is a condition caused by blood sugar levels being too low. It produces a range of symptoms, including palpitations, shaking and sweatiness. |
Dr Iain Frame, of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "There is not much detail provided in the report of this preliminary study but the results appear to be promising. | Dr Iain Frame, of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "There is not much detail provided in the report of this preliminary study but the results appear to be promising. |
"The research will need to be extended and the results confirmed before we will see any change in current practice." | "The research will need to be extended and the results confirmed before we will see any change in current practice." |
According to Diabetes UK, more than 2.3m in the UK have type 2 diabetes, with many cases thought to be undiagnosed. | According to Diabetes UK, more than 2.3m in the UK have type 2 diabetes, with many cases thought to be undiagnosed. |
Details of the study were presented to a European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Rome. | Details of the study were presented to a European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Rome. |
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