Emerging diabetes research to be discussed at major US conference

More than 16,000 professionals with an interest in diabetes will come together this weekend to discuss new and emerging concepts within the field.
This year’s American Diabetes Association (ADA) 77th Scientific Sessions is taking place in San Diego and will showcase innovative research about the condition to doctors, nurses, podiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists and anybody else who works within the diabetes community.
Speaking to Endocrine Today, Dr William Cefalu, chief scientific, medical, and mission officer for ADA, said: “The thing that really sets [this meeting] apart is the late-breaking science, both in clinical and basic.
“That really sets it apart from other endocrine meetings – the quality of the science and the depth of the science. In addition, this session also provides clinical guidance and clinical education. It covers the gamut of research topics for diabetes, so it offers a diversity of interests.”
Attendees are invited to share ideas and learn about significant advances in diabetes care and treatment. The five-day event will provide more than 2,500 research presentations which will cover a number of different topics and more than 2,000 posters will be available for delegates to explore.
This year the programme has been divided up into several key themes which include acute and chronic complications, behavioural medicine and insulin action.
The results from the highly anticipated TrialNet’s international Oral Insulin Prevention Trial will also be presented, which is the largest and longest oral insulin prevention trial ever conducted.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Foot Care Interest Group. The ADA will consequently hold a symposium looking back at how diabetes foot care has changed and improved over the years.
Dr Maureen Ganno, chair of the Scientific Sessions Meeting Planning Committee, said: “One of the things I like best about the scientific sessions is the ability of the basic researchers to make the connections between what is going on at the bench and what is happening with patient care, and back again.
“It’s being able to go to those different sessions and learn about the artificial pancreas, and how those new drugs are impacting beta cells – really going back and forth between basic molecular research and patient care.”