Acceptability of AN as a screening tool for T2DM

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Establishing patient acceptability towards examining Acanthosis Nigricans as a screening tool to assess the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

  • IRAS ID

    272133

  • Contact name

    Neil Wright

  • Contact email

    neil.wright1@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    NA, NA

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 5 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a dark brown velvety discolouration of the skin typically on the back of the neck and in the axilla. It is thought to be caused by high levels of insulin and is strongly associated with Type 2 Diabetes and with obesity. Those individuals with AN have almost double the risk of Type 2 Diabetes compared to those who do not.
    Acanthosis is therefore a highly visible risk marker for Type 2 Diabetes. As such it may be an appropriate area in which to consider whether a public health campaign or self-assessment tool may help identify previously undetected cases of Type 2 Diabetes and identify individuals at higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes in whom interventions may prevent progression to Diabetes.
    The existing screening tool to assess AN severity produced by Burke et al involves assessing the neck, axilla, knuckles, elbows and knees for AN. The potential of an updated AN severity score to be effectively used to screen for insulin resistance is dependable upon the acceptability of patients to such an intervention.
    Semi-structured interviews will take place in order to gauge acceptability towards the use of a screening tool assessment for AN severity. Each interview will take place between the Chief Investigator, the child participant, and the parental guardian participant. Child participants are aged from 11-18 years and are recorded to have Acanthosis Nigricans. Interviews will be approximately 30 minutes to one hour long, this is the only participant involvement required. Interviews will take place in a private clinic room at Sheffield Children’s Hospital or in the participant’s home.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    20/YH/0026

  • Date of REC Opinion

    24 Feb 2020

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion