19 April 2017

New study will look at integrating care for diabetics in community mental health settings.

There is growing recognition of the need to integrate mind and body care for people with long term conditions, especially for those with severe mental illnesses who have higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease than the general population, and a reduced life expectancy.

To address this, the Psychosis and Diabetes Study (PODS) is investigating whether integrating diabetic care within a community mental health team will improve glycaemic control for patients with psychosis.

The study is being run by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and will also monitor additional outcomes such as improved lipid levels, blood pressure and body mass index, as well as mental status compared to usual care. In addition, the acceptability of the intervention to patients, their carers and their health care providers is being assessed.

King’s Health Partners Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutrition, Obesity, Vision and Related Services Clinical Academic Group co-leader and Chief Investigator for PODS, Professor Khalida Ismail, said:

It is a wonderful and exciting experience for the research team to work with such dedicated and compassionate clinicians.

Two of these clinicians, Dr Fidel Gallo and Dr Amanda Hukin, are based at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, who provide secondary care mental health services to residents in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon. Dr Gallo and Dr Hukin are leading recruitment from two Community Mental Health Teams, one team will receive the integrated intervention and the other will be a control group.

Dr Samudraruvan Kottegoda and Ms Stavria Achilleos from the Diabetes Team, Lewisham University Hospital, are also closely involved in the study along with Mr Geof Ravalier from the Maudsley Gym.

It is hoped the study will demonstrate improved health outcomes from the integration of psychosis and diabetes services and go on to inform commissioner planning services. Professor Ismail concluded:

We are extremely grateful for the time and energy of everyone involved in the study, which will help inform service development and future research.