14 November 2024
Southampton Hospitals Charity Backs Life-Saving Research into Type 2 Diabetes and Liver Disease
This World Diabetes Day, we’re excited to share a project we’re proud to support – the REFLEX study. Led by Professor Chris Byrne, this ground-breaking research is tackling a hidden health risk for people with type 2 diabetes: liver disease.
It’s only recently been discovered that many people with type 2 diabetes unknowingly have liver disease, which often goes undiagnosed until it’s quite advanced. This “silent” condition can lead to serious complications, like liver scarring, cirrhosis, and even cancer. Often, the only way people find out is by chance during a routine blood test for something else. The REFLEX team realised that diabetes could change the liver in harmful ways and set out to understand why this happens – and how we can catch it sooner.
What makes the REFLEX study unique is its approach to early detection. The team has developed a portable ultrasound scanner that detects liver scarring and can be used in community settings, like GP surgeries. This makes it easier and more convenient for people with type 2 diabetes to get screened and catch potential issues before they become serious.
For people with diabetes, identifying liver problems early can be a game-changer. Because liver disease often has no symptoms, many people don’t know there’s an issue until it’s too late to prevent complications. Early detection allows doctors to intervene sooner, offering treatments that can make a huge difference in long-term health.
The ultimate goal of the REFLEX study is to make early liver screening a standard part of care for those with type 2 diabetes, especially those most at risk. This could transform diabetes care and lead to better health outcomes. Led by experts like Professor Byrne and Dr. Josh Bilson, the REFLEX team is also looking at whether screening is cost-effective, aiming to make this vital service more widely available.
Southampton Hospitals Charity is thrilled to fund this innovative work, which has the potential to save lives and improve care for people with diabetes. This support wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors. Your contributions enable us to fund research that directly impacts patient care and improves lives. Thank you for helping make projects like the REFLEX study possible – together, we’re making a difference.
