Hundreds of 'hidden' diabetes cases discovered by DMU students

Students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have helped refer more than 170 people to their GPs after spotting suspected signs of diabetes.



DMU’s School of Pharmacy has been working with Diabetes UK to identify and support people with Type 2 diabetes living in hard-to-reach communities in Leicester.

The interventions performed by students from the school have helped more than 240 people, with 172 of those being referred on to their GP with suspected Type 2 diabetes.

The examinations were made at a two-day roadshow held in Leicester city centre and open to members of the public. Staff from Diabetes UK - which raises awareness and provides support for people who suffer from or are at risk of diabetes – aided by students from DMU, who have received nationally recognised training, met with 244 people over the course of the two days.

It is the second time DMU students have helped out in a project like this. Earlier this year, at another event, their interventions led to the diagnosis of 140 people who were unaware they had diabetes, and supported a further 260 people with health advice.

DMU Square Mile, which works to share the skills of staff and students with the community, joined forces with Diabetes UK for the project.

The charity believes that there are more than 3,000 people in Leicester with some form of undiagnosed diabetes, many of whom are from black or minority ethnic communities.

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Dr Ketan Ruparelia, of DMU’s Leicester School of Pharmacy and lead researcher on the project said: “At DMU we want to be able support our local community wherever possible and to apply the work we do to the world around us. This roadshow is not only amazing experience for students at DMU but it is potentially lifesaving work for the people who have visited and been referred to GPs.

“Diabetes cases are increasing, not just here in the Leicester, or the UK but globally. For the NHS, it is one of the biggest challenges to face. But we are beginning to understand what scientific compounds are having a positive effect for diabetes sufferers.

“This is something we believe will not only enhance the knowledge of local and national health services, but also through continued engagement with communities, give them the knowledge to make themselves feel better.”