Procedure to reverse diabetes holds hope
KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL LONDON OPENS FIRST CLINIC IN DUBAI
King’s College Hospital London’s clinic, which opened in Dubai yesterday, offers revolutionary treatment |
A revolutionary new non-invasive procedure to reverse diabetes is one of the highlights in the bouquet of sophisticated treatments that King’s College Hospital London’s clinic, which opened in Dubai yesterday, offers UAE residents.
Talking about the new procedure, Dr Rahila Sarwar Bhatti, consultant endocrinologist at KCH’s Dubai clinic, told Gulf News: “The new device is called EndoBarrier which is a small tube that is endoscopically placed in the upper part of the small intestine for a year. The tube cuts down the transit time of the nutrients into the large intestine. This cutting down of transit time triggers the production of GLP 1 (Glucagon Like Peptide), a hormone produced in our gut that not only suppresses appetite but also stimulates insulin.
“A diabetic normally has impaired production of GLP I and therefore does not get the feeling of fullness quickly. With EndoBarrier, nutrients are absorbed quickly, and GLP 1 sends message of fullness faster and suppresses appetite.
“When the body consumes fewer calories, it better controls sugar levels leading to healthier HbA1c levels.”
King’s College Hospital London had conducted a study last year using the EndoBarrier in two different locations of the UK with multi-cultural subjects and it was found that one-third of the diabetic patients were able to get off insulin injections and the HbAIc of most under studies came
down to 5.8 to 6 points. Dr Bhatti added that the clinic would have other procedures such as ‘scorching’ of the duodenal mucosa (lining of the duodenum or first section of the small intestine) to trigger regeneration of the lining which has been found to be effective in managing diabetes.
These treatments will begin in 2018 at the KCH Abu Dhabi clinic with skilled UK consultants such as Dr Bu Hayee, a pioneer in these endoscopic procedures. “Consultations for the procedures will begin in end 2017 and those found suited for the procedures will undergo it in our Abu Dhabi clinic,” added Dr Bhatti.
The new clinic, inaugurated by Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), will have consultation for diabetes, family medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, dermatology, paediatrics, rheumatology, liver and biliary disease, dermatology, dentistry among others.
Dr Simon Fraser, medical director of KCH in the UAE, said: “Keeping up to the heritage of KCH London, the clinic will follow an evidence-based, ethical practice where we do not over-investigate, overmedicate or over-treat a patient. Our rate of prescribing diagnostic tests is 0.5 per cent of the total blood tests clinics normally prescribe; very often, our patients leave without any prescription.”