Tameside-led study suggests A&E screening could uncover thousands of undiagnosed diabetes cases

A new study led by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has found that routine diabetes screening in hospital emergency departments could identify thousands of undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes each year.

The research, published 6th August, in the journal Diabetes Therapy, highlights the growing potential of early detection methods to combat one of the UK’s most widespread yet under-diagnosed health conditions. It is estimated that around 30% of adults living with type 2 diabetes in the UK are unaware they have the condition.

The FIND-IT study involved screening 1,382 randomly selected adults who attended the emergency department at Tameside Hospital. None of the participants had a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Each individual underwent a HbA1c blood test, which measures average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months.

Results showed that 8.3% (115 people) had type 2 diabetes, while a further 11.6% (160 people) were found to have pre-diabetes - a condition indicating elevated blood sugar levels and a high risk of developing diabetes in the future.

In addition to the blood test, participants provided information on risk factors such as age, ethnicity, physical activity and body mass index. This data was used to calculate a Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINRISC), a tool that helps identify individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

According to the study, using this combined approach in A&E departments across the country could significantly boost early detection, allowing for earlier intervention and management. Detecting diabetes early is critical, as the condition can go undiagnosed for up to 10 years and can lead to serious long-term complications including heart disease, nerve damage and vision loss.

Professor Edward Jude, who led the study from Tameside and Glossop IC NHS FT, said: “Catching diabetes and pre-diabetes as early as possible allows people to access early treatment and implement lifestyle changes, giving them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.”

He said that this screening approach may also reduce costs to healthcare systems over the long term.

“Early diagnosis can help people avoid long-term complications of type 2 diabetes, which costs the NHS billions of pounds each year.

“In our study, the cost per case detected was lower than in pharmacy-based screening programmes.

“Screening people through the hospital’s emergency department also has the added benefit of reducing health inequalities by reaching populations who are less likely to engage with primary care services.”