A type 2 diabetes trial conducted by a West Midlands hospital has been hailed as a significant breakthrough for diabetes treatment.
Roughly 100 people with type 2 diabetes have taken part in the two year multi-centre study, called “REVISE-Diabesity”, which is being conducted at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Researchers have been investigating combination treatment of the EndoBarrier device with the type 2 diabetes drug Victoza (liraglutide). The EndoBarrier is a weight loss device worn inside the body which can help with weight loss and reduce blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
After one year, combination treatment led to patients losing an average of two stone (12kg). Their blood glucose levels also lowered significantly, and patients who were previously obese had reported being able to live a more active and healthy life.
Moreover, patients who received the combination of EndoBarrier and liraglutide treatment achieved greater weight loss and blood sugar improvements compared to those treated with EndoBarrier alone, or liraglutide alone.
Dr Piya Sen Gupta, lead researcher of the study, said: “We know that a majority of patients with diabetes do not respond well to enforced diets in the long term, that 75 per cent of patients fail to respond to certain diabetes drugs sufficiently and that surgery is quite a radical option.
“The results of the REVISE-Diabesity Study show that combining this device and drug is very effective in just one year and offers promise to patients with diabetes in terms of a new treatment option.”
The second year of research will involve monitoring how patients manage their type 2 diabetes after having the EndoBarrier device removed and reducing their medication.
If patients continue to live a healthy lifestyle, keep the weight off and maintain good glycemic control, the study team hope the results could encourage the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider making this treatment available to all NHS patients who require it.
Chief Executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Toby Lewis, said: “This research is changing the lives of individuals and enabling them to take back control of their lives.

“It is something we are proud to be at the forefront of in Sandwell and in Birmingham. The NHS urgently needs innovation and here we think we have an important new service. We hope this research provides a basis for expanding and developing the service for people across our region and the country.”

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