Spain Faces Challenges but Seeks Progress in Type 1 Diabetes Research
Spain ranks low in type 1 diabetes clinical trials, with calls for national leadership and increased investment amid upcoming medical congress discussions.
- • Spain has only four active clinical trials in type 1 diabetes, ranking tenth in Europe.
- • Lack of a national diabetes center limits research consolidation and patient care.
- • Fundación DiabetesCERO promotes a national network and increased investment in diabetes research.
- • The 46th National Congress of Internal Medicine in Córdoba will discuss diabetes advances among other chronic diseases.
Key details
Spain is currently lagging behind in type 1 diabetes research, with only four active clinical trials and ranking tenth in Europe, according to a report by Fundación DiabetesCERO. This stands in contrast to Spain's strong biomedical research sector, which authorized 930 clinical trials in 2024. The country lacks a dedicated national center or hospital network for type 1 diabetes, limiting the consolidation of research and patient access to innovative therapies. Experts like Dr. Carmen Hurtado emphasize the need for incorporating patient participation in trials as a clinical standard. Fundación DiabetesCERO advocates for creating a national network to boost type 1 diabetes research, inspired by the European INNODIA model.
Type 1 diabetes requires constant monitoring and insulin use, affecting roughly one in 42 Spanish families, with numbers expected to grow. The Fundación is pushing for increased public and private investment and stronger collaboration among universities, hospitals, and patient associations. Their #SinEnsayosNoHayCura campaign raises awareness about the urgency of advancing clinical trials to find cures.
Meanwhile, Spain will host the 46th National Congress of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine from November 26-28 in Córdoba, gathering over 2,600 internists. This event will address advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for diseases including diabetes and emphasize sustainability and the health impacts of climate change. This congress represents a key opportunity for medical professionals to discuss innovations relevant to chronic disease management and potentially foster new initiatives for diabetes research integration into clinical practice.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.