• Amrita Diabetes and Endocrine Population Survey (ADEPS 2002-2005). A community based population study to look at prevalence of diabetes, IGT, IFG and other endocrine disorders. This is a landmark study funded by USV Ltd., which will provide invaluable data on epidemiology of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity in our community. This study will also assess thyroid function, Urine Iodine status, Calcium, Vitamin D and related parameters in our population. The survey is now complete and the data has been entered into a database. This is a study which should provide more than a dozen international publications in the coming months. The data on thyroid and calcium disorders is landmark work, as population data on these disorders is not available outside the western world.
• Hyperglycemia and its effect after acute myocardial infarction on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (HEART 2D). This is a phase 4 randomized, open-label, two-arm parallel group design study. This research project sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company Pvt. Ltd. started in January 2004.
• THE ORIGIN TRIAL (Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine INtervention) is a Multicenter, International, Randomized, 2x2 factorial design study to evaluate the effects of Lantus (Insulin glargine) versus standard care, and of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo, in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in high risk people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or early type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Effects of Arzoxifene on vertebral fractures – incidents and on invasive breast cancer incidents in post menoposal women with osteoporosis or with low bone density (GENERATIONS).
• ‘The Genetics and Neuroendocrinology of Short Stature International Study.’ (GeNeSIS) - Post Marketing Observational Research Study sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, ongoing from 2001.
• ‘The value of Nuclear imaging in the follow-up of early Charcot foot in Diabetic patients.’ A prospective, cohort study under the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes. An ongoing project from 2003.
• A novel tool in the Management of NASH - a prospective, cohort study under the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes. An ongoing project from March 2004
• An audit on Tropical Pancreatitis.’ A combined project of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Digestive Diseases Institute at AIMS.
• Assessment of small nerve neuropathy by Heat and Cold Prospective Sensitometer (HCP). A prospective case controlled study. Ongoing from April 2004.
• Limited joint mobility (1st MTP joint). A hallmark of at risk foot. A prospective case control study in 100 patients. Ongoing from January 2004.
• MEDI Study: This multicenter study on subjects with an early onset of diabetes in India aims to collect data from diabetics of less than 20 years of age from all over the country. Several leading institutions in the country are participating in this initiative, which has its coordinating office in AIMS. The study aims to understand the proportion of various subtypes of young diabetics in the country, and also aims to study the biochemical features of these patients. This study is sponsored by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India.

• Comparison of Insulin Lispro and Human Insulin in the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy.’ A randomized, multicentric, crossover, open label, comparative study, by Eli Lilly Ranbaxy  from 2000 - 2002.
• ‘Comparative efficacy and safety of sustained release glipizide and glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.’  Open label, randomised, cross over, multicentric study, sponsored by RPG Life Sciences Limited, Mumbai during 2002-2003.
• ‘Efficacy and safety of GOURDIN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who remain on concomitant oral or combined bedtime insulin and oral therapy: A prospective, randomised, parallel design, placebo controlled, double blind, multicentric trial, sponsored by Pfizer India Limited, Mumbai during 2002 – 2003.
• A multicentre, open label prospective phase IV clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MOPADAY 15/30 (a combination of Metformin ER 500 mg and pioglitazone 15/30 mg) of Wochkardt Ltd. in patients with type 2 diabetes during 2002-2003.
• An open-labeled, randomised, parallel group comparison of insulin of Biocon and marketed human insulin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This project includes three different trial of Regular, Isophane and Premixed insulin of Biocon versus marketed insulin. Sponsored by BIOCON India Pvt Ltd.
• Efficacy of HEAL AID 0.01% GEL (rhPDGF-BB) for healing of chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers. A multicentric, double blinded, placebo controlled randomized study in India. Sponsored by Virchow Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
• A 20-week, multi-centre, open-labelled, non-comparative evaluation of the safety and efficacy of Insulin Detemir in combination with oral anti-diabetic drugs (OAD) in subjects with type 2 diabetes adequately controlled on current therapy. Sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

The following research projects were completed in the stipulated time and results were presented at the meeting of the State chapter of the Society.

• C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome in south central Kerala population:  Dr.Harish Kumar, Dr. V. Usha Menon
• Serum Ferritin and Metabolic Syndrome in south central Kerala population: Dr. V. Usha Menon,  Dr. Harish Kumar
• Vitamin D states in patients with Diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy: Dr. U. Ranjani Kanth; Dr. Harish Kumar
• Thyroid Functions and Antibodies in Type 1 Diabetes: Dr. A. G. Unnikrishnan, Dr. Harish Kumar.
• Postprandial Lipids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Dr. Vasantha Nair, Dr. Tom Babu.

Dr. Usha Menon has been awarded a grant from the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi to participate in a 2 year multicenter project to study the burden of non-communicable, nutrition related diseases among women in the post reproductive age group. There are 8 centers participating from different parts of India; AIMS is the only centre from Kerala. This study will initially survey 500-1000 females at each centre with regards to the prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, etc. Health education and motivations will be provided for adopting a healthy life style and diet, and members of the community will be trained as health educators for this purpose. On completion, a reassessment will be made to evaluate the impact of the project on the community.