VRH checking out 500 people for symptoms of diabetes risk

BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Register

It could be revolutionary: who should be screened for diabetes? When?

You could be a part of it.

Participants from Kentville are being recruited for a study underway at Valley Regional Hospital.

Dr. Lynne Harrigan, chief of staff and assistant investigator in the study, says this is a national initiative with two sites in Nova Scotia: Kentville and Antigonish, chosen because of the somewhat rural nature of the towns and active diabetes programs at local hospitals..

Everyone over age 40 should have their diabetes risk factors assessed, but Harrigan says the purpose of this study is see if they can identify people with pre-diabetes using the “CanRisk” questionnaire.

A similar study was conducted in Finland using the “FinRisk” questionnaire, and they were able to identify risk factors and determine more specifically who should be recommended for diabetes screening.

For example, one question asks about a family history of diabetes, a huge risk factor. Harrigan says it would be interesting to see what comes to light as other important risk factors through the process.

Participants have their sugar tested in the morning after fasting from midnight. They’re given a sweet drink, and then have their sugar retested a couple of hours later. Harrigan says they may identify some people with diabetes who weren’t aware they had the disease, as well as those with pre-diabetes.

If you are pre-diabetic, you can help delay the onset of the disease, as significant as cancer . Although there are medications available, a more effective approach is active prevention: exercising for 30 minutes a day four to five times a week and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet goes a long way.

Fifty people from Kentville are already participating, but the study needs many more. “It has to be completed by October,” Harrigan says about the study. “We may have to expand to New Minas or Port Williams, but we’re hoping for 500 people from Kentville.” “Most people find that it’s neat to be part of a research project,” she says. “It’s nice to be on the cutting edge of research.”

Some of the funding for the project will establish a community program for those identified as pre-diabetic. It will probably be offered to the general population, giving people an opportunity to learn how to delay the onset of the disease - or avoid it altogether. One out of four men in Nova Scotia over age 70 have been diagnosed as diabetic.

Take the test

If you’d like to take part: • you have to be between 40 and 74 years of age • you can’t be pregnant • you can’t knowingly have diabetes • testing takes about two-and-a-half hours, usually Saturday and Sunday mornings at Valley Regional Hospital (inquire about alternate times) • you get a twoonie to cover parking expenses • contact Kendra Scallion, Annapolis Valley Health, 679-7619 or KScallion@avdha.nshealth.ca