Endocrinology Unit

Overview

Translational research is the major focus of this department. Work has been concentrated on health care delivery and the development of efficient strategies to diagnose and monitor diabetes and osteoporosis. There is an emphasis on directly dealing with complicated patient issues and improving the level of health care professionals in regular chronic diseases management.

Research Focus

The Unit is currently conducting a trial aiming to guage the efficacy of Testosterone treatment and a lifestyle program to prevent progression to type 2 Diabetes. It’s aimed at men with pre-diabetes and relatively low testosterone levels in comparison to a lifestyle program alone.  Additionally, this study is also going to evaluate the effect of Testosterone treatment in their overall health status, such as body weight, waist circumference, body composition, muscle strength and sexual function. The treatment impact the trial versus health car expenditure will also be assessed. Over the next 2 years it is anticipated approximately 24,000 men will need to be screened. The project has received funding support from The Hospital Research Foundation.

Dr David Jesudason has been continuing his research looking at high and normal protein diets in diabetic nephropathy (disease of the kidney) and osteoporosis respectively.

The Diabetes Centre initiated a project on the Self Management and Review Type 1 Intensive Education (SMaRT1E). The SMaRT1E programme is a structured group education programme and designed for people with type 1 diabetes. It aims to assist participants in learning to adjust their insulin dose according to their lifestyle.

Osteoporosis and associated fractures are a major cause of preventable disability and dependence for South Australians and a major cost to the community. The Unit is now reviewing the management of osteoporosis in the community. It is also measuring bone density and body composition in a cohort of men selected from the northern and western regions of Adelaide. This is a longitudinal study where participants are followed up every five years.

The above research projects will continue in 2013.

Staff

Head

D Jesudason MBBS FRACP

Endocrinologists

N Laddipeerla MBBS FRACP (Endo)

K Campbell MBBS FRACP

Lucy Gagliardi MBBS FRACP PhD

Registrars

B Woo MBBS,FRACP (Jan 2012-June 2012)

M Roberts MBBS (July 2012-)

A Heish MBBS

C Basynake MBBS

Scientists

J Wang BSc PhD MPH

C Seaborn BSc

E Robinson BSc

T4DM Clinical Trial

S Jose BSC RN PGDCR

S Shanley MBBS, Ph.D, FRACP

Diabetes Centre Nurses

T Willson RN BNg (Hons) Grad Cert Health (Diab Man and Ed) CDE

R Cox CN BN MN

M Hodgson RN RM BMid Grad Cert (Diab Ed)

D Barrow RN Grad Cert (Diab Ed)

C Nitschke RN RM Grad Cert (Diab Man & Ed)

M Kinasz RN B app sci (Food Science and Nutrition) Cert (Diab Man & Ed)

R Wilson RN

Dietitians

C Stanton BSc DipEd MND

C Roberts BSc MND