Acceptability of interventions in newly diagnosed T1D

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Potential acceptability of interventions to preserve beta cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, their caregivers and clinicians

  • IRAS ID

    355085

  • Contact name

    Catherine Cochrane

  • Contact email

    researchgovernance@contacts.bham.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Birmingham

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 5 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Background
    Type 1 diabetes is a life-long illness in which beta cells (the cells that make insulin) are damaged and cannot produce insulin. However, when patients are first diagnosed, not all beta cells may have been damaged and some can remain, meaning patients can still produce some insulin. If these beta cells can be protected, complications and symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be reduced.
    Many studies have been carried out which have tested treatments for protecting beta cells and some have shown promise. However, there is uncertainty around which treatments might be most effective and whether these treatments would be acceptable to patients (in terms of side effects, benefits, how the treatment is taken etc.).
    Research aim
    The aim of the research is to determine which treatments to protect beta cells are most acceptable to patients with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
    Research design
    To help to inform which treatments might be best, we would speak to patients and parents, as well as clinicians, about their opinions on different potential treatments, their side effects, how they are taken, their benefits etc. to help us better understand what patients would want from a treatment. This will be done via focus groups with recently diagnosed (within 24 months) type 1 diabetes adult patients as well as adolescents and parents/guardians of children to discuss how acceptable they might find different treatments that could protect beta cells. Focus groups will take place online or in-person and last approximately 1.5-2 hours.
    For clinicians, we will undertake interviews with individuals about the potential acceptability and feasibility of using treatments in practice for protecting beta cells in those newly diagnosed.

  • REC name

    East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/EM/0181

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 Sep 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion