Stephanie Amiel

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Dame Stephanie Amiel
DBE
Born (1954-10-17) 17 October 1954 (age 70)
NationalityBritish
Alma materGuy's Hospital School of Medicine
Spouse
(m. 1998)
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions

Dame Stephanie Anne Amiel, Lady Alberti, DBE FRCP (born 17 October 1954) is a British physician and academic, specialising in type 1 diabetes. From 1995 to 2018, she was the R. D. Lawrence Professor of Diabetic Medicine at King's College London. She has also been a honorary consultant at King's College Hospital since 1995.

Contents

Early life and education

Amiel was born on 17 October 1954 in Farnborough, Kent, England. She was educated at Baston School for Girls, an all-girls private school in Kent. She studied at Guy's Hospital School of Medicine, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1975 and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees in 1978. She later undertook research towards a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree which she completed in 1988. [1]

Academic career

From 1983 to 1986, Amiel was a research fellow at Yale University. [1] At Yale she undertook research in diabetes under professors William V. Tamborlane and Robert Stanley Sherwin. [2] She then returned to England, and was a research fellow and honorary senior registrar at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London from 1986 to 1989. [1] Between 1989 and 1995, she was a senior lecturer and honorary consultant at Guy's Hospital in the London Borough of Southwark. [1] In May 1995, she joined King's College London as the R. D. Lawrence Professor of Diabetic Medicine. [1] [3] [4] She is also a consultant physician to the diabetes services at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. [5] In 2018, she stepped down from the R. D. Lawrence Chair to become Professor of Diabetes Research. [6] She then retired from full-time academia in 2021 and made emeritus professor. [1] [7]

Amiel's research continues to be focused on type 1 diabetes. [5] As a practising physician, she specialises in intensive insulin therapy, insulin pumps, and diabetes in pregnancy. [3] Her academic interests include diabetic hypoglycaemia, islet transplantation, and diabetes and mental health. [2] [3] [4]

Personal life

In 1998, Amiel married the British physician Sir George Alberti. This marriage brought three stepsons. [1] [8]

Selected works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypoglycemia</span> Decrease in blood sugar

Hypoglycemia, also spelled hypoglycaemia or hypoglycæmia, sometimes called low blood sugar, is a fall in blood sugar to levels below normal, typically below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Whipple's triad is used to properly identify hypoglycemic episodes. It is defined as blood glucose below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), symptoms associated with hypoglycemia, and resolution of symptoms when blood sugar returns to normal. Hypoglycemia may result in headache, tiredness, clumsiness, trouble talking, confusion, fast heart rate, sweating, shakiness, nervousness, hunger, loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. Symptoms typically come on quickly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beta cell</span> Type of cell found in pancreatic islets

Beta cells (β-cells) are specialized endocrine cells located within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans responsible for the production and release of insulin and amylin. Constituting ~50–70% of cells in human islets, beta cells play a vital role in maintaining blood glucose levels. Problems with beta cells can lead to disorders such as diabetes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood glucose monitoring</span> Use of a glucose monitor for testing the concentration of glucose in the blood

Blood glucose monitoring is the use of a glucose meter for testing the concentration of glucose in the blood (glycemia). Particularly important in diabetes management, a blood glucose test is typically performed by piercing the skin to draw blood, then applying the blood to a chemically active disposable 'test-strip'. The other main option is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Different manufacturers use different technology, but most systems measure an electrical characteristic and use this to determine the glucose level in the blood. Skin-prick methods measure capillary blood glucose, whereas CGM correlates interstitial fluid glucose level to blood glucose level. Measurements may occur after fasting or at random nonfasting intervals, each of which informs diagnosis or monitoring in different ways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperglycemia</span> Too much blood sugar, usually because of diabetes

Hyperglycemia or hyperglycaemia is a condition where unusually high amount of glucose is present in blood. It is defined as blood glucose level exceeding 6.9 mmol/L after fasting for 8 hours and 10 mmol/L 2 hours after eating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 2 diabetes</span> Form of diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, is a form of diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms include increased hunger, having a sensation of pins and needles, and sores (wounds) that heal slowly. Symptoms often develop slowly. Long-term complications from high blood sugar include heart disease, stroke, diabetic retinopathy, which can result in blindness, kidney failure, and poor blood flow in the lower-limbs, which may lead to amputations. The sudden onset of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state may occur; however, ketoacidosis is uncommon.

Drugs used in diabetes treat types of diabetes mellitus by decreasing glucose levels in the blood. With the exception of insulin, most GLP-1 receptor agonists, and pramlintide, all diabetes medications are administered orally and are thus called oral hypoglycemic agents or oral antihyperglycemic agents. There are different classes of hypoglycemic drugs, and selection of the appropriate agent depends on the nature of diabetes, age, and situation of the person, as well as other patient factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-peptide</span> Insulin production indicator protein

The connecting peptide, or C-peptide, is a short 31-amino-acid polypeptide that connects insulin's A-chain to its B-chain in the proinsulin molecule. In the context of diabetes or hypoglycemia, a measurement of C-peptide blood serum levels can be used to distinguish between different conditions with similar clinical features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gestational diabetes</span> High blood sugar levels during pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms; however, obesity increases the rate of pre-eclampsia, cesarean sections, and embryo macrosomia, as well as gestational diabetes. Babies born to individuals with poorly treated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of macrosomia, of having hypoglycemia after birth, and of jaundice. If untreated, diabetes can also result in stillbirth. Long term, children are at higher risk of being overweight and of developing type 2 diabetes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 1 diabetes</span> Form of diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes (T1D), formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that occurs when pancreatic cells are destroyed by the body's immune system. In healthy persons, beta cells produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone required by the body to store and convert blood sugar into energy. T1D results in high blood sugar levels in the body prior to treatment. Common symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, and other complications. Additional symptoms may include blurry vision, tiredness, and slow wound healing. While some cases take longer, symptoms usually appear within weeks or a few months.

The main goal of diabetes management is to keep blood glucose (BG) levels as normal as possible. If diabetes is not well controlled, further challenges to health may occur. People with diabetes can measure blood sugar by various methods, such as with a BG meter or a continuous glucose monitor, which monitors over several days. Glucose can also be measured by analysis of a routine blood sample. Usually, people are recommended to control diet, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight, although some people may need medications to control their blood sugar levels. Other goals of diabetes management are to prevent or treat complications that can result from the disease itself and from its treatment.

A diabetic diet is a diet that is used by people with diabetes mellitus or high blood sugar to minimize symptoms and dangerous complications of long-term elevations in blood sugar.

Sir Kurt George Matthew Mayer Alberti is a British doctor. His long-standing special interest is diabetes mellitus, in connection with which he has published many research papers and served on many national and international committees. He was President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and President of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In the 1970s, Alberti published recommendations for the management of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious metabolic emergency which affects people suffering from severe insulin deficiency. This 'Alberti regime' rationalised the use of insulin and fluid therapy in this condition to the undoubted benefit of many patients.

Chronic Somogyi rebound is a contested explanation of phenomena of elevated blood sugars experienced by diabetics in the morning. Also called the Somogyi effect and posthypoglycemic hyperglycemia, it is a rebounding high blood sugar that is a response to low blood sugar. When managing the blood glucose level with insulin injections, this effect is counter-intuitive to people who experience high blood sugar in the morning as a result of an overabundance of insulin at night.

The dawn phenomenon, sometimes called the dawn effect, is an observed increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels that takes place in the early-morning, often between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. First described by Schmidt in 1981 as an increase of blood glucose or insulin demand occurring at dawn, this naturally occurring phenomenon is frequently seen among the general population and is clinically relevant for patients with diabetes as it can affect their medical management. In contrast to Chronic Somogyi rebound, the dawn phenomenon is not associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insulin (medication)</span> Use of insulin protein and analogs as medical treatment

As a medication, insulin is any pharmaceutical preparation of the protein hormone insulin that is used to treat high blood glucose. Such conditions include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and complications of diabetes such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states. Insulin is also used along with glucose to treat hyperkalemia. Typically it is given by injection under the skin, but some forms may also be used by injection into a vein or muscle. There are various types of insulin, suitable for various time spans. The types are often all called insulin in the broad sense, although in a more precise sense, insulin is identical to the naturally occurring molecule whereas insulin analogues have slightly different molecules that allow for modified time of action. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2022, it was the 192nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.

Complications of diabetes are secondary diseases that are a result of elevated blood glucose levels that occur in diabetic patients. These complications can be divided into two types: acute and chronic. Acute complications are complications that develop rapidly and can be exemplified as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), lactic acidosis (LA), and hypoglycemia. Chronic complications develop over time and are generally classified in two categories: microvascular and macrovascular. Microvascular complications include neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy; while cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease are included in the macrovascular complications.

Ultralente insulin was a long-acting form of insulin. It has an onset of 4 to 6 hours, a peak of 14 to 24 hours, and a duration of 28 to 36 hours. Ultralente insulin, along with lente insulin, were discontinued in the US by manufacturers in the mid-2000s. One of the reasons for discontinuation was declining use in favor of NPH insulin and other newer insulin products. The FDA withdrew approval for ultralente insulin products by 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diabetes</span> Group of endocrine diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body becoming unresponsive to the hormone's effects. Classic symptoms include polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, and blurred vision. If left untreated, the disease can lead to various health complications, including disorders of the cardiovascular system, eye, kidney, and nerves. Diabetes accounts for approximately 4.2 million deaths every year, with an estimated 1.5 million caused by either untreated or poorly treated diabetes.

Mladen Vranic, MD, DSc, O.C., O.Ont, FRSC, FRCP(C), FCAHS, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame[CMHF] April 3, 1930 – June 18, 2019, was a Croatian-born diabetes researcher, best known for his work in tracer methodology, exercise and stress in diabetes, the metabolic effects of hormonal interactions, glucagon physiology, extrapancreatic glucagon, the role of the direct and indirect metabolic effects of insulin and the prevention of hypoglycemia. Vranic was recognized by a number of national and international awards for his research contributions, mentoring and administration including the Orders of Canada (Officer) and Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian M. Frier</span>

Brian M. Frier is a Scottish physician, diabetologist, clinical scientist, and an Honorary Professor of Diabetes at the University of Edinburgh. He is best known for his many scientific contributions to the pathophysiological understanding of hypoglycemia, a common adverse effect of insulin therapy in diabetic patients whose societal impact has deserved increasing media attention worldwide. His honors include the R.D. Lawrence Lecture of the British Diabetic Association in 1986, the Banting Memorial Lecture at Diabetes UK in 2009, the Camillo Golgi Prize and lecture at the 53rd annual EASD conference in 2017, and the Michael Somogyi Award from the Hungarian Diabetes Association in 2004. Frier is a science book author and editor, and a science journal Chief editor. He is also regarded as an authority on the field of driving and diabetes. In 2023, Frier was accorded Honorary Life Membership by the European Association of Diabetes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 'AMIEL, Prof. Stephanie Anne, (Lady Alberti)', Who's Who 2017 , A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2017; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2016; online edn, Nov 2016 accessed 17 Oct 2017
  2. 1 2 "Stephanie Amiel – King's College London". Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Professor Stephanie Amiel". Division of Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences. King’s College London. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Professor Stephanie Amiel". Research Portal. King's College London. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Stephanie Amiel". Diabetes UK. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  6. "Amiel, Prof. Stephanie Anne, (Lady Alberti), (born 17 Oct. 1954), Professor of Diabetes Research, King's College London, 2018–21, now Emeritus (R. D. Lawrence Professor of Diabetic Medicine, 1995–2018); Honorary Consultant, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, since 1995". Who's Who 2023 . Oxford University Press. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  7. "Professor Stephanie Amiel". abcd.care. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  8. 'ALBERTI, Sir (Kurt) George (Matthew Mayer)', Who's Who 2017 , A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2017; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2016; online edn, Nov 2016 accessed 17 Oct 2017