Bill Dorst of North Liberty has type-2 diabetes — a disorder in which muscle and fat cells do not use insulin properly. Bill wanted to avoid the health problems associated with the diabetes - especially heart attack and stroke. He joined the ACCORD study at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. ACCORD is the first large-scale study to test the effects of intensively controlling blood sugar, along with aggressive control of blood pressure and lipids, or blood fats.

"It’s going to help me, but somewhere down the line it’s going to help somebody else, too," said Dorst. "I think that’s really the ultimate goal."

Since enrolling in the study, Bill has already seen improvements in his health. He’s lost nearly 50 pounds, and his blood pressure and cholesterol levels are improving.

"You really have to be a willing participant," he said. "I’m noticing a change. Things are happening to me for the good."

The ACCORD study at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is led by William Sivitz, M.D., UI professor of Internal Medicine. "Our goal is to try to find out how good we need to be at controlling diabetes, at controlling blood pressure and at controlling lipids, in order to prevent long-term complications of diabetes, which can be devastating," Sivitz said. Greg Doelle, M.D., Udaya Kabadi, M.D., and Robert Spanheimer, M.D., from the Endocrine Division will join Sivitz in this research study.

University of Iowa Health Care is one of 60 centers in the United State and Canada taking part in the ACCORD study. Researchers hope to enroll 185 adults with type-2 diabetes from the region. Ten-thousand people will take part in the entire study.

For more information call Sheila Wayson, nurse clinician and trial coordinator, toll free at 1-877-807-9590 or 319-356-4879 and ask about the ACCORD study.

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William Sivitz, M.D.

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