A clinical trial to assess whether fenofibrate can protect against eye damage in early retinopathy in adults with type 1 diabetes

Currently recruiting
HREC ethics approval number 2017.034

About this study

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether treatment with fenofibrate can reduce the risk of people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) suffering from progression of diabetic eye disease. This trial involves a 6-week run-in period before being randomised with the study drug (fenofibrate) or placebo once daily. Participants will be followed up every 3 to 6 months for at least 3 years on average.

Contact us to find out more about this research study, quoting reference number 2017.034

Who can take part

You may be eligible to participate in this study because you have Type 1 Diabetes. To be eligible, you must:

  • be aged 18 years or over;
  • have type 1 diabetes (T1D) confirmed by your diabetes doctor;
  • have mild diabetic eye disease (retinopathy);
  • not be currently participating in any other investigational drug study;
  • undergo a screening visit where tests such as vitals, weight, height, bloods and an eye test will be undertaken

If you are a woman, you must not participate in the study if you are pregnant or breast feeding or if there is a chance that you may become pregnant during the period of the study.

What's involved

This study involves at least 11 visits over a 3-4 year period.  If you are eligible to participate, you will be randomised to receive treatment with either fenofibrate or placebo and then asked to make regular 3-6 monthly visits to the research clinic where similar tests to that of the screening visit will be repeated.

Person handling test tubes for research

Ethics

All research in Australia involving human participants is reviewed by an independent group called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research study have been approved by the Royal Melbourne Hospital HREC.

This study is being carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement protects the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.

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