Diabetes Awareness Month: Local Trials Offer New Hope For Patients

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Centers for Disease Control’s latest report revealed almost 1 in 6 American adults has diabetes.

Doctors and researchers in Green Country are helping with clinical trials for a new pill that could help those living with diabetes.

The CDC reports almost 16 percent of American adults have diabetes, mostly Type 2 diabetes.

"The biggest risk factor for diabetes is family history, so if you have any family members with Type 2 diabetes, it's really important to start getting screened. Incidents go up as people age,” said Dr. Larissa Giuliano with Harvard Family Physicians.

Dr. Giuliano and Essential Medical Research in Tulsa, which is an investigative site for trials, are working with a pharmaceutical company on a clinical trial for a new pill for diabetic patients.

"It serves not only for our current generation but future generations to come because this is how new medications, innovative therapies, become available for physicians to prescribe,” said Whitney DeNeen, managing director of Essential Medical Research.

Sheila Kumpe is part of the trial after trying some other options to manage her diabetes.

"My A1C had gone up to 7.4, and he said, 'Oh, no, you've got to go on insulin,'" said Kumpe. “I said, 'No, no. I'm not doing that.'"

She said she started the trial in October and is already seeing improvement.

"I have lost 20 pounds since I've been on the drug, and my blood sugar has dropped probably 40%,” said Kumpe.

DeNeen said people even come from out of state to participate in the trials, which come with travel reimbursements and everything paid for.

"We're able to provide transportation for our patients who may not have the means to get to and from their appointments, all of the medications, all of the patient visits,” said DeNeen.

This trial lasts six months, and Essential Medical Research has other trials for diabetic patients starting next year.

"If you're inclined to help other people, I think you should do it,” said Kumpe.

Essential Medical Research is always looking for trial participants.

For a list of open trials, go to EMEDR.com.

It can be as quick as two weeks for a participant to be screened and qualified to start a trial.

Many trials are six months, and some can last as long as five years.