Clinical Research
Our Diabetes & Endocrine Clinical Research Unit (DECRU) performs important and cutting edge clinical research studies testing new treatments for diabetes, its complications, and related metabolic or hormonal disorders. These clinical studies or “trials” are sponsored through various mechanisms including the federal government (e.g. NIH), private organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry.
The clinical research studies conducted by our DECRU take place in our Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic, and our new Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Diabetes Clinic (MCDC), both at The Kirklin Clinic (TKC) at UAB, and offer our patients and participants the opportunity to play a more active role in their own healthcare. Patients involved in our clinical trials frequently have the opportunity to access potential new treatments before they are widely available. These studies provide important information to advance medical care and are crucial to finding better preventive measures and treatments for diabetes, and other endocrine and metabolic disorders.
After a promising new treatment is developed in the laboratory and its safety and effectiveness are carefully tested in the pre-clinical setting, clinical investigators obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct studies in patients. Participants receive high-quality care and related study medications throughout the trial at no cost. Participating in a clinical trial is an important personal decision.