RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Chronotype of Patients With Diabetes and Effect on Glycaemic Control

This research explores the connection between your body’s natural clock, known as your chronotype (like being a morning lark or a night owl), and how well you manage your diabetes. We know that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very common in the UK, impacting millions of people. Understanding your sleep patterns could be a new way to help manage blood sugar levels and improve heart health. Scientists have noticed that getting too much or too little sleep can affect conditions like diabetes and heart problems. This study aims to dig deeper into these links, looking at participants’ sleep and lifestyle habits to find better ways to support people living with diabetes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Leicester

Enrolment target

3,447

Start

07 Dec 2016

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

What is this study about?

In simple terms, this study is all about understanding how your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, often called your 'chronotype', affects how you manage diabetes. Your chronotype is basically whether you're naturally a morning person (a 'lark') or an evening person (an 'owl'). We also want to see how this links to your overall heart health and other daily habits.

Millions of people in the UK live with diabetes, either type 1 or type 2. Type 2 is much more common, but type 1 is also increasing. Both types mean your body has trouble controlling blood sugar, which can lead to serious health problems over time if not managed well. Currently, treatments mainly focus on diet, exercise, and medicines like insulin. But we're always looking for new ways to help people living with diabetes.

There's growing interest in how sleep and our body's daily 'master clock' (called the circadian rhythm) affect conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Previous research has hinted that getting either too little or too much sleep might make these conditions worse. This study aims to look closely at these connections in people with diabetes to see if understanding their natural sleep patterns could lead to new ideas for managing their health better.

Key takeaways

This study explores how your natural sleep pattern (chronotype) affects diabetes control.
It's for adults aged 18-75 with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
The research aims to find better ways to manage diabetes and improve heart health.
You will not be asked to change your current diabetes treatment.
Understanding your body clock's rhythm could offer new insights into your health.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 75 years old and have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes for at least six months. You should be able to understand and sign a consent form, and you'll need to have a good understanding of English.

There are also some weight requirements, with your BMI needing to be 45 or less. We're looking for people who don't have existing sleep disorders, apart from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). You should also not be a regular user of cannabis or certain other medications that affect sleep or wakefulness, as these could affect the study results. You also can't be suffering from a terminal illness.

If you don't meet these requirements – for example, if you're under 18 or over 75, have a BMI over 45, or use certain medications regularly – then this study might not be suitable for you.

Quick self-check

I am between 18 and 75 years old.
I have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes (diagnosed over 6 months ago).
I can understand and speak English well.
My BMI (body mass index) is 45 or less.
I do not have a sleep disorder, other than Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
I don't regularly use cannabis or certain sleep-affecting medications.

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

The detailed description of what taking part in this study involves is not provided in the information you gave. However, typically, studies like this often involve a few visits to a clinic over a period of time. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires about your sleep habits and lifestyle, wear a device to track your sleep, or provide blood samples to measure blood sugar and other health markers. You would likely continue your current diabetes treatment as usual while participating. The total duration of your involvement could vary, but it would be fully explained before you agree to join.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any research study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that it might help scientists understand more about how sleep affects diabetes, which could one day lead to better ways to manage the condition. You might also gain a better understanding of your own health. The direct risks are not detailed but typically involve discomfort from blood tests or the inconvenience of study visits. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital
Leicester, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'chronotype'?

Your chronotype is whether you're naturally a 'morning person' (you like to wake up early) or a 'night owl' (you prefer to stay up late and wake up later).

Why is this study important?

This study aims to find out if understanding your natural sleep pattern can help with managing diabetes and improving heart health, potentially leading to new care strategies.

Will I have to change my diabetes medication?

The information provided suggests you will continue your current glucose-lowering therapy or lifestyle changes for diabetes management. The study is not about changing your treatment.

Do I need to have a specific type of diabetes?

This study is open to people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as long as you've been diagnosed for at least six months.

What if I have trouble sleeping sometimes?

The study does not include people with known sleep disorders, except for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). If you have a different diagnosed sleep condition, you might not be able to participate.

How to find out more

Sahar Khodabakhsh, PhD

sahar.khodabakhsh@uhl-tr.nhs.uk 0116258 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.