Research hones in on T2D Cowper residents

AN INTERNATIONALLY renowned endocrinologist is conducting a research trial on the Coffs Coast aiming to improve the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH: Endocrinologist Dr Sultan Linjawi with patients Garry Suter and Allan Cecil. Picture: Trevor Veale

AN INTERNATIONALLY renowned endocrinologist is conducting a research trial on the Coffs Coast aiming to improve the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Dr Sultan Linjawi, of the Coffs Endocrine and Diabetes Service, said the research intends to identify better ways of giving diabetes drugs to best manage the disease.

"This is a trial not looking at whether a drug is safe or not," he said.

"Rather, we are looking at the best way to give a drug and so that will provide insight not only for the particular patient but also help the wider community."

The Cowper electorate has a high rate of type 2 diabetes with about 7919 residents diagnosed, according to Diabetes Australia.

That number is 5.3% of the population of the electorate.

Participants must be over 18 and have Type 2 Diabetes as well as not be taking any injectable diabetes medications and must be taking multiple tablets for their diabetes at stable doses for more than three months including Metformin (also known as Diabex/Diaformin) and/or Diamicron(also known as Gliclazide/Glyade).

Dr Linjawi's patient, Allan Cecil described the trail experience like "a friendly catch up" and dispelled the myths of research trials as intrusive and intimidating environments.

"It's not a big scary thing it's more like you become friends with them (the doctors and other participants), you see them regularly and it's just like a ten minute catch up," Mr Cecil said.

Study-related care and medication and travel costs are all covered by the research trial which allows for patients of all backgrounds to access the care they need. For more info, phone the Diabetes Service on 6651 4459.