Glycaemic control in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Glycaemic control in patients undergoing pancreato-duodenectomy
IRAS ID
336363
Contact name
Iestyn Shapey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Survival from pancreatic cancer (PC) needs improving, especially in the UK where only one in ten patients survive for 5 years after the diagnosis. Abnormal sugar levels are implicated in the health of most patients with PC and are associated with reduced cancer survival.
Most patients (~75%) undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer experience will experience some form of complication; e.g. infection in ~50%. These complications are associated with cancer survival, both directly and indirectly.
Detecting abnormal sugar levels using current methods are insufficient, unreliable, and reflect data over the preceding 3-months (HbA1c) or an isolated episode in time (finger-prick test) rather than relating to the period of assessment and clinical care. Better technologies and tests such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provide a precise reading in real-time and are now available but are not the standard test for patients with PC. We do not know whether earlier and more comprehensive testing and treating for abnormal sugar levels will improve outcomes from surgery or cancer survival. However, we do know that, in general, infections and complications after surgery are more common in patients with poor blood sugar control. We also know that patients with poorer blood sugar control have shorter survival from PC. Before we can do a full trial we need to find out the best way of testing patients, have a comprehensive understanding of the existing situation, and work with patients and doctors to decide how the future trial should be designed.
Aim
This project aims to better understand whether early and comprehensive testing of sugar levels in patients in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery is possible. We also want to understand the existing situation regarding blood sugar levels, and what target ranges would be appropriate in a future trial.
Plan
We will invite 30 patients who are undergoing pancreatic surgery for cancer to have a continuous glucose monitor applied to their upper arm over a 6-week period (up to 2-weeks before surgery, 2-weeks during surgery and initial recovery, and 2-weeks after recovering from surgery). We will review the data from the glucose monitors, and also ask patients about their individual experience of using the devices.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
26/WA/0020
Date of REC Opinion
13 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion