Charles Sturt University researchers are attempting to ease some of the burden for those living with diabetes by easily identifying whether a diabetic is at risk of cardiovascular complications.
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Dr Ezekiel Nwose from CSU's School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences and his team are creating a self-management device from research studying blood viscosity, the measurement of the thickness and stickiness of the blood.
This works by combining results of the patient's full blood count and liver function to determine whether they are at risk of blood clotting and require treatment.
As 11-17 July is National Diabetes week, the announcement comes as some good news for those who battle the disease.
"When the full blood count has been done and routine liver function test has been done, both the GP, the patient and the lab technician can use the lab results [through this self management tool]," Dr Nwose said.
"Using one component of the full blood count (the level of blood) and one component of the liver test, they can combine these two tests using digital technology and use it to establish what the blood viscosity level is."
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The test has been limited to a few metropolitan areas and Dr Nwose hopes to make it accessible to all with the disease.
"We are focusing on supporting people living with diabetes, especially those who are struggling to make decisions of what to eat, what not to eat, what exercise to do and not to do. What drugs to take and what drugs not to take," Dr Nwose said.
"This test has already been done, but not many people are aware of it. Because they are not aware of it, they don't know how to use it.
"Part of our research activities was to establish that this laboratory test method is valid, so we have established the validity of it.
"What we are now doing is creating awareness about it."
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