After winning a five-year program funding by Qatar Foundation’s Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), the Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program (QDPP) is all set to take off to address one of the most prevalent health conditions in the country.

The research project will be the largest of its kind in the Gulf region. 

It is co-funded by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) through the Academic Health System.

QDPP signifies an important milestone in diabetes prevention in Qatar and will start recruitment early next year.

Following the award of a five-year program funding by Qatar Foundation's Qatar National Research Fund and co-funded by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) the region's largest diabetes research project, the Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program (QDPP), is set to begin. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 21, 2019

“Diabetes is one of the most pressing health conditions in Qatar. It is estimated that at least 17% of the adult Qatari population has diabetes and this number is expected to rise unless wide-scale steps are taken to change behavior and address the risk factors associated with diabetes,” highlighted Prof Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, director of the QDPP, director of the Qatar Metabolic Institute, and chairman of Internal Medicine at HMC.

The research program will address the full spectrum of issues concerning the development of diabetes and also determine the best methods to predict, prevent, and reverse Type 2 diabetes.

It will recognize genetic and molecular factors associated with pre-diabetes, which will help identify individuals at increased risk who could benefit from early intervention, according to Prof Abou-Samra.

QDPP comes as a result of multi-institutional research collaboration between healthcare, education, and research organizations.

The project comprises seven complementary sub-projects:

Project 1 aims to prevent the progression of pre-diabetes into Type 2 diabetes;

Project 2 aims to find the best method to prevent gestational diabetes in subjects with diabetes risk factors discovered in pre-marital screening;

Project 3 aims to find the best method to prevent progression of gestational diabetes into Type 2 diabetes;

Project 4 aims to achieve diabetes remission in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes;

Project 5 aims to identify genetic factors associated with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes;

Project 6 aims to identify proteomic and metabolic markers, associated with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes and

Project 7 aims to develop eHealth tools and evaluate mobile apps to support lifestyle intervention for diabetes prevention and management.

The research program is aligned with the National Diabetes Strategy, led by the Ministry of Public Health and also supports the launch of a countrywide screening program through HMC and the Primary Health Care Corporation.

Weill Cornell College of Medicine, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Computing Research Institute of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Biobank, Qatar Diabetes Association, Sidra Medicine, and Droobi Health will also participate with HMC and PHCC in the initiative.

Several top international experts will also participate in QDPP.

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Cover Image Credit: Hamad Medical Corporation