By Alesha Capone
A not-for-profit medical research institute in Hoppers Crossing is looking for 400 senior citizens with type 2 diabetes to take part in an important study.
The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute opened its new Clinical Trial and Research Centre (CTRC) at HeartWest this year.
Researchers at the centre are looking to recruit people aged 65 and over who have type 2 diabetes for a trial involving the prescription medication Dapagliflozin.
Dr Amera Halabi, who is based at the CTRC, said the medication lowered blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and reduced their risk of kidney decline and failure.
However, the trial will examine the medication’s impact on preventing heart failure in the early stages of diabetes.
The study could have important implications for the more than 1.5 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes.
Dr Halabi said the study, which will run for two years, would give participants either the medication or a placebo pill.
Dr Halabi said the CRTC hoped to use clinical trial facilities at Sunshine Hospital for the study.
She said one of the good things about the study was that all volunteers received a free echocardiogram to ascertain any early stages of heart failure.
She said most people would not undergo such a test unless they displayed symptoms of heart disease, but that patients benefited from early diagnoses of such conditions.
Dr Halabi said anyone feeling apprehensive about taking Dapagliflozin could be reassured that it was already an “established therapy” approved for use in Australia.
Trial participant, 72-year-old Gisborne resident John Dunlop, said he and his wife Judy previously participated in another Baker Institute study.
Mr Dunlop said he liked participating in the study because of how professional the researchers were.
“It’s been great, I would highly recommend it to other people,” he said.
Mr Dunlop, whose father passed away from a heart attack at age 64, said he enjoyed expanding his knowledge of health and his own body.
Contact 8532 1511 or email leavedm@baker.edu.au if you are interested in taking part in the CRTC study.
