24 January 2006

NCR Employees play a key role in diabetes research

Employees at Dundee have been benefiting from health screenings while helping diabetes research.

Professor Andrew Morris and his team are working on an international research project funded by the charity, The Wellcome Trust. The aim of the project is to clarify the lifestyle and genetic contribution to type 2 diabetes so that treatments can be improved and the risk of complications reduced. The team are working in hospital clinics, general practices and work places throughout Tayside and asking willing participants to help out. Half of the study population will be patients who have type 2 diabetes and half will act as controls in the research, i.e. not have type 2 diabetes.

Over 500 NCR staff over the age of 40 have participated, as per criteria. The information will contribute to understanding more about diabetes and possible treatments.

Audrey Burns, Occupational Health Nurse Advisor at NCR said, "This was an excellent opportunity for our employees to take part in a health assessment carried out conveniently at their workplace. All results were reported to the individuals with advice to see their GP as appropriate for further medical management. Around two thirds of all the eligible people invited have taken part."

Professor Andrew Morris said "the response and support from the NCR team has been tremendous. We know that there are 15,000 people with diabetes in Tayside, and this figure is increasing by about 10% each year. This research will provide a fantastic resource for international scientists and clinicians to define the key factors underlying this very common disease."

So far over 5000 people across Tayside have helped out by attending a 15 minute appointment at a convenient location for a health screen including a blood sample, height/weight/waist measurement, blood pressure and a lifestyle questionnaire. All the information gathered will be used in the research to improve diabetes care.

A photocall with Nurses from the Wellcome Trust and NCR, as well as patients who have participated, will be available for photographs at noon.

For further details:

Anna Day
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Tel: 01382 384768
Email: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk