BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is believed to be higher among people with intellectual disability (ID) than in the general population. However, research on prevalence and prevention in this population is limited.ObjectivesThe objectives of this programme of work were to establish a programme of research that would significantly enhance the knowledge and understanding of impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and T2DM in people with ID; to test strategies for the early identification of IGR and T2DM in people with ID; and to develop a lifestyle education programme and educator training protocol to promote behaviour change in a population with ID and IGR (or at a high risk of T2DM/CVD).SettingLeicestershire, UK.ParticipantsAdults with ID were recruited from community settings, including residential homes and family homes. Adults with mild to moderate ID who had an elevated body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m2and/or IGR were invited to take part in the education programme.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome of the screening programme was the prevalence of screen-detected T2DM and IGR. The uptake, feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were assessed.Data sourcesParticipants were recruited from general practices, specialist ID services and clinics, and through direct contact.ResultsA total of 930 people with ID were recruited to the screening programme: 58% were male, 80% were white and 68% were overweight or obese. The mean age of participants was 43.3 years (standard deviation 14.2 years). Bloods were obtained for 675 participants (73%). The prevalence of previously undiagnosed T2DM was 1.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5% to 2%] and of IGR was 5% (95% CI 4% to 7%). Abnormal IGR was more common in those of non-white ethnicity; those with a first-degree family history of diabetes; those with increasing weight, waist circumference, BMI, diastolic blood pressure or triglycerides; and those with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We developed a lifestyle educational programme for people with ID, informed by findings from qualitative stakeholder interviews (health-care professionals,n = 14; people with ID,n = 7) and evidence reviews. Subsequently, 11 people with ID (and carers) participated in pilot education sessions (two groups) and five people attended education for the feasibility stage (one group). We found that it was feasible to collect primary outcome measures on physical activity and sedentary behaviour using wrist-worn accelerometers. We found that the programme was relatively costly, meaning that large changes in activity or diet (or a reduction in programme costs) would be necessary for the programme to be cost-effective. We also developed a quality development process for assessing intervention fidelity.LimitationsWe were able to screen only around 30% of the population and involved only a small number in the piloting and feasibility work.ConclusionsThe results from this programme of work have significantly enhanced the existing knowledge and understanding of T2DM and IGR in people with ID. We have developed a lifestyle education programme and educator training protocol to promote behaviour change in this population.Future workFurther work is needed to evaluate the STOP Diabetes intervention to identify cost-effective strategies for its implementation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02513277.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full inHealth Research Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 5, No. 11. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Results from this large multi-ethnic cohort suggest a low prevalence of screen-detected (previously undiagnosed) type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in adults with ID. However, the high levels of overweight and obesity we found emphasise the need for targeted lifestyle prevention strategies, which are specifically tailored for the needs of people with ID.

The involvement of service users (people who use health and social care services) in research is central to UK policies, is an integral component of many research funding programs and improves the quality and uptake of research. People with intellectual disability are often excluded from research involvement. The purpose of this article is to describe how adult service users with intellectual disability were involved in the early stages of a diabetes screening study conducted in Leicestershire, UK. People who volunteered were involved in five key areas: publicity, study documentation and process development, acceptability of measures, recruitment of research staff, and training of staff. Service users helped with logo selection, publicity materials, designing art work, raising awareness of the study, study documents, rehearsing clinics, and recruiting and training research staff. Our findings demonstrate that with careful planning adults with intellectual disability can meaningfully be involved and benefit from involvement in research. We look forward to continued involvement with service users with intellectual disability in future research studies.

The STOP Diabetes education programme was successfully developed and is suitable for a definitive randomized controlled trial.