Trial to combat diabetes scourge

Alex de Vos
A Geelong scientist is leading tests of a new drug to tackle Australia’s diabetes “disaster”.
Barwon Health’s Department of Clinical and Biomedical Science Professor Geoff Nicholson said statistics had revealed more than 12,000 Geelong residents suffered diabetes, making the city one of Australia’s worst hot-spots for the disease.
Almost 80 per cent of Geelong sufferers had type 2 diabetes, he said.
Diabetes can lead to health complications including fatal heart disease, strokes, blindness and leg amputations.
“Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight and it’s increasing at a rapid rate,” Prof Nicholson said.
“Younger people are relying on non-active forms of entertainment so more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes – it’s a major disaster.”
Prof Nicholson urged sufferers to participate in the trial.
The treatment reduced appetite and production of glucose in the liver to combat diabetes, he said.
“All the medicines available at the moment tend to promote weight gain,” he said.
Trial coordinator Cath Dailey said the study was part of a worldwide investigation of diabetes treatment.
“As the Geelong region has such a high proportion of its population suffering from type 2 diabetes, this sort of research is important as the outcomes may directly affect our local population,” Ms Dailey said.