Research

Research Background
    Recent studies have shown that early intervention can prevent the progression of prediabetes to full type 2 diabetes.  In recent research, lifestyle changes as well as some medications have been shown to be effective in patients with prediabetes.  However, many questions remain on how to best translate this research into the primary care (medical office) setting.  Barriers to successful implementation of lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, etc) affect both patients and health care providers.  These barriers include controversies over acceptable treatment standards, duration of lifestyle intervention trials, endpoints for treatment failure prior to initiating the use of medications, and cost effectiveness data demonstrating the efficacy of lifestyle change or use of medications.
    Successful treatment of prediabetes is multi-factorial and requires thorough patient education, counseling, and support best accomplished through a focused clinical approach.  Current research focuses on identifying patients at risk for complications stemming from prediabetes and diabetes in the primary care setting.  The University of South Florida Department of Family Medicine has developed a primary care Prediabetes Treatment and Research Center to implement state of the art treatment recommendations and development of an interdisciplinary research program to investigate behavioral, clinical, and economic outcomes associated with early treatment of prediabetes.  Prediabetes is a new area for research.  Other areas of interest include the relationship of prediabetes and blood vessel injury, heart disease, depression, and sleep disorders.
 

Research Work Group
H. James Brownlee, Jr., M.D. Chairman and Professor USF Department of Family Medicine	Frances M. Sahebzamani, Ph.D., A.R.N.P. Assistant Professor Assistant Director of Research USF Department of Family Medicine
Richard Schrot, M.D. Director, Diabetic Center of Excellence Editorial Staff: Clinical Diabetes James A. Haley VA Hospital	David E. Kotun, MS, PA-C Clinical Faculty and Medical Manager USF Department of Family Medicine
Kevin B. Sneed, Pharm.D. Assistant Professor Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy	William Sacco, Ph.D. Professor Area Chairman and Director of Clinical Training USF Department of Psychology
Patrick R. Arthur, PT, MS USF Physical Therapy Center	Amanda L. Guest, M.D. Research Assistant USF Department of Family Medicine
Raj Rajaram, M.S. Biostatistician, Faculty USF College of Public Health Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics