German Diabetes Study (GDS)

This study is investigating how an existing diabetes mellitus develops in the long term after diagnosis.

© DZD

Background of the Study

The German Diabetes Study observes patients with newly diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes for a period of 10 years. Thus, early warning signs for later complications can be discovered, and all approved therapy procedures can be compared in parallel. The study also investigates the influence of heredity (genes) on disease progression.

The study is being conducted at seven locations within the framework of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) in Germany.

 

 

 

 

Suitable Participants    

  • Men and women between 18 and 69 years of age
  • With type 1 or type 2 diabetes; diagnosis made not more than 1 year prior to enrollment in the study or healthy control participants without diabetes
  • All treatment forms allowed (dietary, pills, injections, insulin therapy)

 

Most Important Exclusion Criteria

  • Age under 18 or over 69 years
  • Mental illness, addiction
  • Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapy
  • Acute or chronic infectious diseases
  • Malignant tumor diseases (cancer)
  • Certain liver and gallbladder diseases
  • Kidney failure
  • Anemia
  • Particular coagulation disorders
  • Pregnancy

 

Course of the Study

At the start of the study, and after 5 and 10 years, several days of examinations take place. These include different metabolic tests, if necessary the taking of blood samples and adipose tissue samples, several examinations of the nervous system and the cardiovascular system, and a magnetic resonance tomography of the liver (MRI).

In between you will be contacted once a year to track the progress of your disease.

There is NO additional medication within the framework of the clinical study. The study ends after a total of 10 years.

 

Examinations

  • Physical examination by a doctor
  • Body measurements (weight, height, hip and waist circumference)
  • Blood samples
  • Metabolic tests (measurement of remaining endogenous insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity using various laboratory methods)
  • Examination of the nervous system (variability of the pulse rate, neuropathy tests)
  • Examination of the cardiovascular system (measurement of blood pressure, blood vessel tests, ECG)
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging of intra-abdominal fat and liver fat content)

 

Compensation for Expenses

All examinations are free of charge for you. The costs are borne by the Center. Please inquire about a financial compensation at the respective study center.

German Diabetes Study Video

Screenshot GDS Video. © DDZ

Watch a video about the German Diabetes Study of the DZD partner German Diabetes Center (in German).

Participating Clinics:

Düsseldorf
Prof. Dr. Michael Roden, Prof. Dr. Robert Wagner
German Diabetes Center
Phone: +49 (0)211–3382209
studienzentrum(at)ddz.de


Tübingen
Prof. Dr. Andreas Fritsche, Prof. Dr. Norbert Stefan
Tübingen University Hospital
Phone: +49 (0)7071–2980687


Berlin/Potsdam
Dr. Stefan Kabisch
German Institut for Human Nutrition /
Charité Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30-450 514 439
diabetes(at)charite.de
Dr. Olga Ramich
Phone: +49 (0)33200 88 2760
German Institut for Human Nutrition
dzd(at)dife.de


Munich
Prof. Dr. Jochen Seißler
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Phone: +49 (0)89–4400–52234


Heidelberg
Prof. Dr. Julia Szendrödi
Heidelberg University Hospital
Phone: +49 (0)6221 56-8606
 


Dresden
Dr. Sabine Fischer
Dresden University Hospital
Phone: +49 (0)351 4583701


Leipzig
Prof. Dr. Michael Stumvoll,
Dr. Gesine Flehmig
Leipzig University Hospital
Phone: +49 (0)341-9720728

https://www.uniklinikum-leipzig.de/einrichtungen/medizinische-klinik-3/en/division-of-endokrinology


Lübeck
Dr. Svenja Meyhöfer
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein
Tel.: 0451 31017827
dds(at)uksh.de