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Contact Information:

Dr Jeanie Suvan
-
j.suvan@ucl.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Diabetes, high blood pressure and COVID-19 exposure screening in a dental setting
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Diabetes, high blood pressure and COVID-19 exposure screening in a dental setting

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

London

Medical Conditions

Diabetes, hypertension, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection)

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


On a global level, there is an astonishingly rapid rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are defined as diseases that are non-transmissible amongst individuals. Two of the most common diseases being diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension), in which the rate of undiagnosed cases is continually rising. Recent figures have estimated that between one to five million individuals remain undiagnosed for diabetes and high blood pressure in the UK, as both rarely cause symptoms in their early stages. Both of these conditions are major risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and a majority of global COVID-19 deaths were related to these two conditions, therefore prevention and early detection of these is key. Furthermore, emerging evidence has shown that exposure to COVID-19 may increase the risk of future developments of other illnesses and health complications.
Dental professionals have access to different cohorts of the population and members of the public may be more likely to visit their dentist than their general medical practitioner. Therefore, dentists may be in a fortunate position to access patients that are not seeking medical services elsewhere and ideally risk assess, offer preventative advice and screen for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Therefore, the dental clinic may be a particularly unique and unrecognised opportunity for screening for such conditions, as they share common risk factors with oral diseases like gum disease (periodontitis). There is well-established evidence linking diabetes with periodontitis and growing evidence supporting the link with high blood pressure. Consequently, there is merit for opportunistic screening of diabetes and high blood pressure in patients in a dental clinic, which could prove to be extremely valuable in early detection and intervention.
The main aims are to investigate the prevalence of elevated HbA1c, elevated blood pressure and COVID-19 exposure in patients in a dental clinic compared to the national average in the UK population.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

24 May 2021 24 May 2024

Assessment of eligibility to participate will take place at visit 1. Following this, visit 2 (if required) will entail the data collection including a ‘finger prick’ blood test, blood pressure measurements, height and weight measurements in order to measure body mass index (BMI), and COVID-19 screening. If time permits, visit 1 and visit 2 can be performed together in the same visit. If deemed appropriate, a letter shall be sent to the GP for further investigation dependent upon the blood test and blood pressure measurements.

Visit 1:
This visit will be the appointment in the new patient clinic or the first treatment visits and during this appointment eligibility to participate will be assessed. Potential participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to the study staff.

Visit 2:
If an individual wishes to take part, they will be asked to sign two copies of the consent form. Data to be collected will include the ‘finger prick’ blood test (which will include a droplet of blood which is then immediately disposed of), blood pressure measurements, height and weight measurements in order to measure body mass index (BMI), and COVID-19 screening. COVID-19 screening involves antigen and antibody testing. Antigen testing involves a nose and throat swab whereas antibody testing involves a ‘finger prick’ droplet of blood which is then disposed of.

As noted above, if time permits visit 1 and visit 2 can be combined and performed together as one visit.


Participants must be scheduled to attend the Restorative new patient clinic at the Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Eastman Dental Hospitals or those allocated to begin treatment and be at least 18 years of age, in good general health, with a minimum of 20 teeth.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Uncontrolled or currently undergoing treatment for systemic medical conditions (excluding diabetes and hypertension) including, but not limited to hepatic disease, renal disease, transmittable diseases, cancer, or HIV2. On chronic treatment (defined as 2 weeks or more) of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant therapy during the month preceding the baseline assessment3. Self-reported pregnancy or lactation (due to possible oral tissue changes related to pregnancy and breastfeeding which can affect the interpretation of study results)4. Concurrently participating in other clinical studies


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • University College London
    250 Euston Road
    London
    NW1 2PG

The benefits include screening measurements for the level of blood sugar, blood pressure control and COVID-19. This may potentially highlight levels of pre-diabetes/diabetes and/or pre-hypertension/hypertension in which further investigation may be required with the GP to facilitate the opportunity of addressing this as appropriate. The study measurements are all minimally invasive and carry a low risk of pain, bruising, bleeding and infection.

Dr Jeanie Suvan
-
j.suvan@ucl.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University College London and funded by BHR Pharmaceuticals Limited.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN14624773

Or CPMS 48072

Last updated 25 May 2021

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

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