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By kristalamb
Posted date: October 22, 2019
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Diabetes Action Canada’s National Diabetes Repository launched its inaugural grant competition in April 2019.  Our investigators were invited to submit proposals to address meaningful patient-oriented research questions using the Secure Analytic Virtual Environment (SAVE) of the National Diabetes Repository and three research proposals awarded $15,000 each.  Applicants submitted their proposals  through our new online researcher portal www.repository.diabetesaction.ca.  Our Research Governing Committee and Scientific Advisory Committee reviewed the proposals and selected projects based on Diabetes Action Canada priorities including what matters most to persons living with diabetes, innovative use of data/techniques, and team-based research.

Grant Recipients:

Dr. Alanna Weisman and Dr. Bruce Perkins, University of Toronto

This research will determine if insulin pump use differs in adults (>18 years of age) between provinces due to differences in government funding, and whether this disproportionately affects people of lower socioeconomic status. The results will provide evidence to advocate for government funding for insulin pump therapy universally across Canada.

Dr. Braden O’Neill – North York General Hospital/University of Toronto

People with schizophrenia are at markedly increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and are more likely to have diabetes than those without this condition. Diabetes is one of the most important risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and causes substantial morbidity as a result of macrovascular and microvascular complications if inadequately treated.  This proposal will examine the quality of care provided to patients with and without schizophrenia and with diabetes across multiple provinces.  This research addresses an important health equity issue around the care of a vulnerable population. Results from this study will guide further work to develop and implement interventions and modifications to health service provision in order to improve care for people with diabetes and schizophrenia.

Professor Huaxiong Huang and Ms. Neda Aminnejad, York University and the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

This project aims to apply advanced mathematical modelling to the data in the National Diabetes Repository.  The model has two main objectives: to predict the entire trajectory for the progression of type 2 diabetes along with its complications and to segment the type 2 diabetes patients into three risk categories to allow for appropriate intervention. It will also highlight if a group of comorbidities or the patient’s health condition could potentially worsen.  Predicting complications of type 2 diabetes before they occur can lead to  prevention and significantly reduce the emotional and financial toll on patients and their families.


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