Diabetes Research

More than 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed each year. More than 8 million Americans are diabetic but don’t know it. If a person’s blood glucose, or sugar level, is too high and goes unchecked, diabetes can cause harm to other organs. Many people with type 2 diabetes have reduced kidney function, called diabetic kidney disease but are unaware of it.

Researchers at SIU School of Medicine are conducting research to help treat and diagnose those with diabetes. “The impact of diabetes is staggering,” said John Flack, MD, MPH, professor and chair of SIU’s Department of Internal Medicine. “One in every 5 health care dollars is spent caring for people with diabetes. Dealing with its complications can seem overwhelming to some,” he said. “Being part of a clinical research trial gives patients an opportunity to keep on top of the illness and can improve doctors’ understanding and treatment of diabetes.”