A new trial at The Imperial College Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Foundation NHS Trust in the UK are using AI technology to see if they can detect type 2 diabetes a decade before the condition occurs. Early detection is vital to reduce the risk of diabetes complications affecting different areas of the body, such as the heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.

Type 2 diabetes

When the body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin, the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes too high. Type 2 diabetes can cause heart disease, kidney disease, stroke or nerve problems. The condition can be prevented, unlike type 1 diabetes which is caused by a problem with the immune system. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are feeling very tired, peeing more than usual, feeling thirsty all the time or losing weight without trying. You can also experience blurred vision, itching around the penis or vagina or wounds taking longer to heal.

Aire DM – the AI system which hopes to save lives

Aire DM is the AI system that allows early detection and intervention for type 2 diabetes. It checks a patient’s ECG (electrocardiogram records) heart traces for subtle early warning signs that are normally tricky for doctors to see. The traces are too varied and subtle for the most highly skilled doctors to detect. ECGs reveal the electrical activity of the heart rate and rhythm. Previous research suggests that Aire DM is successful 70% of the time, and clinical trials will start this year.

The lead researcher of the study, Dr Fu Siong Ng explained that risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as the patient’s age, sex and whether they already have high blood pressure and or are overweight, can improve the predictive power of the AI system. He said, “It is already quite good just with the ECG data, but it is even better when you add in those.”

The trial involved 1000 participants spread over the two hospitals and is funded by the British Heart Foundation.

The Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the BHF, Professor Bryan Williams said, “This exciting research uses powerful artificial intelligence to analyse ECG’s, revealing how AI can spot things that cannot usually be observed in routinely collected health data. This kind of insight could be a game-changer in predicting future risk of developing type 2 diabetes, years before the condition begins.”

He added, “Type 2 diabetes is a rapidly growing health challenge that increases the risk of developing heart disease, however with the right support, it is possible for people to reduce their risk of developing the condition. We look forward to seeing how this technology could be incorporated into clinical practice.”

Dr Faye Riley from Diabetes UK said, “Type 2 diabetes often goes undiagnosed, sometimes for many years. With 1.2 million people in England alone unaware they’re living with the condition and millions more at high risk of developing it, identifying those at risk early on is crucial.”

Those most at risk of developing type 2 diabetes

• Adults and children can have the condition diabetes. Those most at risk of type 2 are white people over 40 years old and South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean people over 25 years old.
• It can be hereditary if parents or siblings have diabetes. People who are overweight and not very physically active are also at risk.
• Other health conditions can cause high blood pressure, which in turn can be a factor in the cause of type 2 diabetes.
• Diagnosis is done with a blood test.

Use this tool to find out if you are at risk of developing the condition.

How can you reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

• Be body aware

Are you experiencing any symptoms, and is it time to visit your doctor for a health check? Educate yourself about diabetes and track any concerning changes in your body. Are you overweight and feeling tired all the time? Have you started to lose weight for no reason that you are aware of?

• Be family familiar

Is there a history of diabetes in the family? Ask your doctor if you should be tested because you are aware of a family member having the condition

• Make lifestyle changes

Make time for yourself, care about your health and implement a healthy lifestyle. Give up smoking and recreational drugs. Limit alcohol and processed food consumption. Stay physically active and incorporate exercise into your weekly routine. Lose weight if you need to, and if you are struggling to lose weight, ask your doctor for advice. The doctor may suggest medical checks to see if there is a reason that you aren’t losing weight and discuss any medication that you may already be on to see if it increases your risk of diabetes

• Have regular dental check ups

Reduce the risk of gum disease which can play a part in the risk of developing diabetes

• Eat and drink yourself healthy

A diet which includes lots of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, pulses and oats is recommended and staying hydrated is essential

Get expert advice about diet and diabetes here.

• Know your sugars and read food labels

Sugars in foods and drinks can be natural or added. Excess sugar alone doesn’t cause diabetes. The damage of too much sugar in a bad diet can create a scenario which might put you at more risk, such as weight gain, heart problems and unhealthy gums. It’s important to read food labels so you know what you are putting into your body

To help remove extra sugar through urine, we recommend our product Astra Zenica Forxiga – Dapagliflozin. It is a medication to block SGLT2 protein in your kidney. It is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

References

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80v1p5l4n1o#:~:text=%22AI%2Dpowered%20screening%20methods%20offer,heart%20failure%20and%20sight%20loss.%E2%80%9D
• https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/ai-could-predict-type-2-diabetes-up-to-10-years-in-advance
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/eating/sugar-and-diabetes