A single home urine test which can be sent by post may replace multiple blood tests in hospital - the test measures whether or how much insulin is being produced by individuals with diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. The test kit was developed by Professor Andrew Hattersley and team from the The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Exeter, England. Children especially will benefit from not having to undergo blood tests, the researchers said.

Patient insulin-production is measured regardless of whether they are taking insulin injections. The tests can be used to differentiate diabetes Type 1 from Type 2, plus other rare genetic forms of the disase. An accurate diagnosis is crucial when deciding on whether to alter treatment, or even to discontinue the insulin.

For example, Jillian, aged 35, was diagnosed with diabetes 16 years ago and prescribed insulin injection. The home urine test found that she was producing her own insulin at the age of 33. A DNA test found that she had a genetic type of diabetes. She is no longer on insulin injections.

"Being told I don't have to take insulin injections any more has changed my life", she said.

The key studies, led by Dr Rachel Besser and Dr Angus Jones and were funded by Diabetes UK and the National Institute of Health Research, are published in leading diabetes journals, Diabetes Care and Diabetic Medicine.

Dr Rachel Besser, who has led the studies on over 300 patients, commented: "The urine test offers a practical alternative to blood testing. As the urine test can be done in the patients own home we hope that it will be taken up more readily, and more patients can be correctly diagnosed and be offered the correct treatment".

Dr. Iain Frame, Director of Research at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "Dr. Besser's research is an excellent example of Diabetes UK's commitment to fund scientists at the beginning of their careers in diabetes research. With growing numbers of people with diabetes, it's more important than ever to ensure that medically trained graduates are encouraged to enter the field of diabetes research to help improve the lives of people with the condition. Many aspects of diabetes, from diagnosis to treatment, are invasive. Therefore, we welcome Dr. Besser's research and look forward to further developments."

Source:
Andrew Gould
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry