Data collection on diabetes in India and Scotland

CHENNAI: The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and University of Dundee, Scotland, are planning for a comprehensive study to compare and contrast diabetes in India and Scotland to determine the common and specific problem in both countries. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health Research Global Health Programme. According to experts, with one in 12 people affected by the disease in India, the number totals 69 million, which is more than the entire UK population.

The National Institute of Health Research Global Health programme has granted `70 lakh for the study which is also aimed at improving health and reducing health inequalities in India and Scotland. Both institutions will collect clinical data with over 20 years of follow up records of patients along with the genomic data from two countries.

The in-depth study will help in identifying different sub-types of diabetes in India and will enable a better understanding on how best to manage each sub-type. “This project should help contribute new knowledge in the field of precision medicine,” said V Mohan, principal investigator of India site and director of MDRF. Over 6.5 lakh patients with diabetes will be taken up for study in both Scotland and India.

The project will also look at new ways of providing diabetes screening. Using smartphone technology and retinal scans will help in providing valuable insights into how care providers can deliver more cost-effective and affordable diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, a press release said.