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Diabetes Trials Unit

Diabetes Trials Unit LogoThe Diabetes Trials Unit (DTU) is a UKCRC accredited clinical trials unit specialising in performing local, national and multinational clinical trials related to treating and managing diabetes and other cardiometabolic and related conditions.  We work collaboratively with researchers and organisations to support trials and other studies.

What's new

A patient and a doctor consulting a tablet together in a clinic.

Under-40s diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a mortality rate four times higher than the general population

People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before 40 years of age, have nearly four times the risk of death compared with the general UK population, a new study carried out at the University of Oxford’s Radcliffe Department of Medicine has found.

Patient recruitment day (nurses behind desk with forms)

Hydroxychloroquine provides moderate COVID-19 prevention

COPCOV, the world’s largest COVID-19 chemoprevention study, published results today showing that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a moderate benefit in preventing COVID-19. The COPCOV trial was led globally by the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Thailand. The Diabetes Trials Unit (DTU) was the UK coordinating centre for the trial, helped develop the protocol, and was responsible for managing UK sites, approvals and procedures.

Doctor takes a blood test from a patient. Image by wirestock on Freepik

Patients receiving steroids are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes, UK study has found

Patients who are being treated with systemic glucocorticoids are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as those not receiving the treatment, a new study by researchers at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine’s Diabetes Trial Unit has found.

A blood glucose finger prick test

Early blood glucose control for people with type 2 diabetes is crucial for reducing complications and prolonging life

Research led by scientists from the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh has found that early good blood glucose control can minimise the lifetime risk of diabetes-related complications, including heart attacks, kidney failure and vision loss.

A photograph of the chief investigator and research nurses for the LEGEND-D trial

The LEGEND-D Trial – which aims to prevent low blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes – is open to recruitment

The first participant has completed initial study activities and is now randomised to one of the trial’s arms.

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