UK Imaging Diabetes Study Seeing Diabetes Clearly

This study is looking for men and women aged 18 or older who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. You might have diabetic retinopathy (an eye complication of diabetes) or not, that's fine. The most important thing is that you are willing and able to understand what the study involves and agree to take part.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. If you've had a heart attack, stroke, or severe chest pain (unstable angina) in the last year, or surgery for your heart, you won't be able to participate. Also, because the study uses MRI scans, you can't join if you have anything inside your body that isn't safe for an MRI, such as a pacemaker, certain metal implants, or extensive tattoos, or if you are pregnant or severely claustrophobic.

Other reasons for not being able to join include if you have certain liver conditions (like autoimmune hepatitis, viral hepatitis, Wilson's disease), kidney problems affecting the structure of your kidneys, or a known alcohol dependency. If there's any other significant health issue that your study doctor believes could put you at risk or affect your participation, you might also not be eligible.

Taking part in this study involves a very short period of active participation, followed by long-term follow-up through your medical records. You'll be enrolled in the study for a total of five years.

Your active participation will happen over about one month and involves three appointments. The first is a 'screening visit' where we'll talk about the study in detail, make sure it's right for you, and get your informed consent. Then, there will be two study visits, both within 28 days of your screening visit. At the first study visit, we'll take some body measurements (like weight and height) and collect blood and urine samples for standard diabetes tests and other markers. At the second study visit, you'll have a special MRI scan of your tummy area. This scan looks at multiple organs and gives detailed information about their health. Both of these visits will take place at your local study site.

After these initial visits, you won't need to come back for any more appointments. For the remaining five years, the research team will keep track of your health status by looking at your existing NHS medical records, including hospital admissions and information from your GP, with your permission. This will happen at one, three, and five years after your starting point in the study. There will be no changes to your medication or usual care during the study.