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Research conducted at Durham University has recently been focused on the subject of diabetes, and ways to start earlier diagnosis and a larger volume of testing. Researchers tested blood glucose levels collected from patients at their opticians when they displayed one or more factors linked to the disease, such as age and people with a high BMI. The test was done via a simple finger prick test, a simple procedure that can be carried out by any number of local practices such as opticians and dentists.
Normally, screening for Type II Diabetes occurs at a family doctors, the risk with this being that a large number of people who are at risk of the disease are slipping through the net and not being diagnosed or treated. The other fear is that the disease is only diagnosed, in normal circumstances, when more serious symptoms are noticed. It is hoped that a simpler, and more widespread screening programme, such as the finger prick test, could catch people with the disease at a much earlier stage before further complications occur. The disease itself can cause severe nerve damage as well as blindness.
Out of the Durham University's testing programme, an alarming 32% were referred to a family doctor as they were at high risk of the disease. Although it is important to state that the test is certainly not flawed or 100% accurate due to the fact that blood glucose levels can vary from person to person, it is certainly a step in the right direction to improving screening numbers, as well as early detection. As the procedure is so straightforward, this could become part of a local optician or GP's day to day routine.
A Drop Of Blood by Максим Кукушкин (Image)