GRADE TYPE 2 DIABETES DRUG EFFECTIVENESS STUDY

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is looking for individuals to take part in a clinical research study that will compare the long-term benefits and risks of four widely used diabetes drugs in combination with metformin, the most commonly prescribed medication for treating type 2 diabetes. The Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness (GRADE) Study will reveal how different combinations of medications affect type 2 diabetes over time. The results are expected to provide new understanding on how to tailor an individual’s diabetes treatment plan.

To enroll in the study, researchers at NYP Queens are seeking men and women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 30 or older, who have been diagnosed within the last five years. Individuals may be on metformin, but not have taken any other diabetes medication within the last six months. Interested individuals can see if they qualify for enrollment by calling the Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education at NYP Queens, at 718-670-1827.

During the five-year study, all participants receive metformin, along with a randomly assigned second medication, from among four classes of medications that are approved for use with metformin by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Participants will be monitored free of charge through the study, which includes at least four medical visits per year. Participants should continue to see their regular health care providers during this study.

“Treatment for diabetes can be very complicated. Diabetes drugs often cannot act alone to lower blood sugar,” said Phyllis August, M.D., co-investigator, and Theresa Lang director, Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education, at NYP Queens. “The key to this study is to find what combination of diabetes medications works best to enhance an individual’s long-term health.”

NYP Queens is one of 36 investigative sites for this study. Daniel Lorber, M.D., associate director, Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education, and director, Endocrinology at NYP Queens is also a co-investigator in the study.

GRADE (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01794143) is supported under NIH grant U01DK098246. Additional support in the form of donation of supplies comes from the National Diabetes Education Program, Sanofi-Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Merck, BD Medical and Roche Diagnostics.