If you’ve ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and are less than 10 years postpartum, then you may qualify for the exciting opportunity to participate in the SWEET Study at Woman’s Hospital.
Meet Elizabeth Sutton, PhD.
Dr. Elizabeth Sutton is a perinatal physiologist specializing in understanding health changes during pregnancy and the long-term impacts postpartum. She is incredibly passionate about the SWEET Study, considering her own experience with gestational diabetes twice and having been diagnosed with pre-diabetes soon after that.
What is the SWEET Study?
The main goal of the SWEET Study is to test if the medicine Ozempic can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes who are now postpartum and have pre-diabetes. Ozempic is currently FDA-approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, however, Dr. Sutton is exploring its potential use for helping reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
How Does the Study Work?
Participants will attend an initial appointment to see if they qualify to be in the study. The SWEET Study is a double-blind trial, meaning neither the patient nor the physician will know if they’re given Ozempic or a placebo. Once we know a person qualifies to join the study, they will be randomly put in one of the two medication groups.
The SWEET Study is an eight-month commitment. Participants will take weekly injections of the medication for 8 months. The medication is introduced gradually to ensure your body adjusts comfortably. After the eight-month period, participants will return for a final appointment to determine how their glucose levels have responded to the Ozempic or placebo.
Who Qualifies to be in the SWEET Study?
To participate in the SWEET Study, you must have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (meaning diabetes in pregnancy), be less than 10 years postpartum, have normal blood pressure (taking blood pressure medicine is OK), and have stable thyroid function.
You must also have pre-diabetes to join the study, but the first study visits can measure if you have pre-diabetes. Interestingly, the CDC recently reported, “Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have pre-diabetes…but of those with pre-diabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).” So we encourage you to reach out if interested whether or not you know you have pre-diabetes. If you meet these criteria and are interested in participating in this study, you can fill out an interest form HERE.
What Does a Study Visit Entail?
A study visit is a health screen much like a physical or regular check-up with your doctor where blood work will be done to see if you have pre-diabetes, healthy thyroid function and normal blood pressure. A DEXA scan to measure your body composition will be conducted at the initial study visit and then again at the end of the eight-month study. The data from these labs will be given to you at the end of the study so you can have a better understanding of your body composition and glucose control.
There are six visits total in the SWEET Study. The initial consultation, four visits in between to receive your next study medicine, and the final visit to repeat your beginning testing to see if results have changed.
How Do You Benefit from Participating in the SWEET Study?
Participating in the SWEET Study offers a unique opportunity to better understand your health and potentially prevent future chronic diseases. By joining the study, you can proactively contribute to improving your health and the health of others.
Will you be compensated for being in the SWEET Study?
You’ll receive $250 for each of the four study visits you attend, totaling $1,000 if you complete the study.
Why is the SWEET Study Important?
The overall goal of the SWEET Study is to help women in the future who’ve experienced gestational diabetes lower their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This opportunity empowers these individuals to positively change their health and potentially prevent a future health concern. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this important study.
Ready to take the first step towards a healthier future? Click here to see if you qualify for the SWEET Study today! It’s time to SWEETen your life and protect your well-being!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 30). Prediabetes – your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.