Study to Test a Finger-Prick Alternative to the Standard Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Children and Teens at Risk for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

What this Trial Is About

Type 1 diabetes T1D is a long-lasting condition affecting many children under 15, caused by the immune system damaging the pancreas, which makes insulin. Type 2 diabetes T2D is also chronic and related to the bodys inability to use insulin properly, often linked to obesity and appearing more in adults but beginning in childhood. Early diagnosis of both T1D and T2D is important and usually involves an oral glucose tolerance test OGTT, which can be uncomfortable and requires blood samples over 2-3 hours in a healthcare setting. This research tests if an OGTT can be done at home using a finger-prick blood test called GTThome, where blood glucose is measured before and two hours after drinking a sugary drink. The study includes groups assessing the accuracy of the finger-prick test compared to the usual vein blood test, and the acceptability and feasibility of doing the test at home for children at risk of T1D or pre-clinical T2D. A subgroup with T1D will also explore using a continuous glucose monitor CGM as an alternative. Participants will be involved in clinical or home settings depending on their group, undergoing OGTTs with blood glucose measurements from finger-pricks and veins, wearing CGM devices, and completing questionnaires about test acceptability. Researchers will also conduct interviews with young people, parents, and healthcare professionals to understand experiences and factors influencing monitoring uptake. The main outcomes are how well the capillary blood glucose matches venous blood glucose and how feasible the home test is, with total participation lasting up to the end of each study visit.

Capillary OGTT Study