Acurian Health

It looks like one of those companies that recruit people to act as research subjects.

My understanding of the process is that people sign up.
They answer all sorts of questions about their health and health history.
The company (Acurian) keeps their details on file and attempts to match the person with new research projects and studies.
When they find a match, and if the person signs up to participate in the study, then Acurian get a pretty fat fee, and the participant gets an incentive or payment.

The research company foots the bill for the fee, the incentive, and the medical costs.

Regarding those medical costs - the Acurian blurb is very clear to state that

Studies may offer:

• No-cost study-related care
• Access to treatments under development
• Possible compensation

They are not offering medical treatment for any other conditions, and very likely exclude people with diabetes (or other pre-existing conditions) unless they are actively recruiting diabetics for a study on a diabetes related subject. The ‘access to treatments under development’ probably refers to drug trials.

DCUKMod said:

Keith if you are interested in research and potential trials of new treatments, you could contact your local NIHR Centre.

Via the NIHR, there is a huge amount of ongoing work into diabetes at the moment, and teams are always looking for research participants.

I am involved with my local NIHR, in the Midlands, but being atypical in almost every conceivable way, thus far, I haven't been matched for any research, aside from on a feedback or review basis, so I am involved in other ways.

All NIHR work is strictly regulated and participants are extremely well looked after, in terms of checks, resources and out of pocket expenses.

(NIHR = National Institute for Health and Research: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ )

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Well, that has lead me down a rabbit hole!

I have found a research project into the use of Semaglutide at a location close to me.
I seem to qualify for the study (with a few things to check out).
It reduces glucagon production, potentially encourages beta cell regeneration, potentially improves eGFR.

However looking into it further, the study can run from 3-5 years!

As it is a blind trial (some on the drug, some on a placebo) this raises the prospect (50% chance) of being on a placebo for 3-5 years which in turn, I assume, precludes any additional medication which can improve my diabetes control and/or improve my eGFR because this would skew any results. Also, any additional medication would have to be checked for interaction with the trial drug (which I may not be taking).

3-5 years is a long time in diabetes!

So I am now wondering who would fit the profile.

keithwjones said:

Can I just make it clear that this is a genuine post, I am not trying to direct people to the company.

Can I suggest that you do not put a link up to the company either.

It does appear to be all about a finders fee. I have now found some critical comments about the company in USA.

I will not be giving them my details, if you do they will be hard to stop.

Keith

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I did wonder if it was one of these competition/survey things just aimed at gathering user details for future marketing.

One where everyone got a "congratulations, you have qualified" message to make you feel good about adding yourself to their marketing database.

I have just declined a Pringles competition which required you to register your full details and create an account before you could check if you had won.

You seem to have taken some very sensible precautions.