Pancreatic exocrine deficiency in diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the clinical features and prevalence of pancreatic exocrine deficiency in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
IRAS ID
224472
Contact name
A Collier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The pancreas demonstrates both endocrine and exocrine functions that together are responsible for the successful digestion, absorption and metabolism of oral nutrients. In patients with diabetes, morphological alterations have been observed in the exocrine pancreas. The causes of such changes are not clear but may involve interplay between islet hormones, angiopathy driven pancreatic fibrosis, autoimmune mechanisms and autonomic neuropathy.
Clinical features associated with this condition are poorly understood but are likely to include abdominal cramps, fatty stools and steatorrhoea, and malnutrition. The latter may be associated with high morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition-related complications and cardiovascular events.
It is therefore imperative that the prevalence, severity and clinical correlates of pancreatic exocrine deficiency in diabetes is comprehensively investigated.
In this study, we will analyse the gastrointestinal features associated with pancreatic exocrine deficiency, and the clinical and biochemical parameters associated with the development of this condition in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Participants will be invited to complete a short symptom questionnaire and provide a stool sample. No invasive testing such as venepuncture will be undertaken. Data regarding participant BMI, HbA1c, diabetes complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy and macrovascular disease) and duration will be extracted from the hospital-based SCI-DC database.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0717
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion