OUR INVESTIGATORS
Principal Investigator
Dr. Kristin Clemens
MD, MSc, FRCPC
Endocrinology
Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, ICES
Co-Investigator
Dr. Ting-Yim Lee
PhD, FCCPM Medical
Imaging / Medical Biophysics
Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute,
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
NO KNOWN CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
STUDY SUMMARY
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are widely used to help manage type 2 diabetes and support weight loss.
While these medications have many benefits, some people may also experience changes in muscle, bone, and overall body composition, and we don’t yet fully understand why this happens or who is most at risk.
The REBUILD study aims to learn how the body changes over time after starting one of these medications.
We use advanced, non-invasive imaging (PET/CT scans) along with simple physical tests to understand how muscles, bones, and metabolism respond to treatment.
By better understanding these changes, we hope to improve care for people with type 2 diabetes and create tools to help healthcare providers protect muscle and bone health during treatment.
STUDY ACTIVITIES
If you take part, you’ll complete four study visits over 12 months, at baseline (before starting medication), and again at 3, 6, and 12 months.
At each visit, you’ll be asked to complete:
PET/CT Imaging
A non-invasive scan using a small amount of tracer to help us see how your muscles, bones, and organs use energy.
The scan takes about 80 minutes.
Physical Function Tests
These simple, safe tests include:
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Grip strength
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Timed Up and Go (TUG)
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Gait speed
They take about 10 minutes in total.
Body Measurements
We’ll measure your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and body circumferences.
This takes about 15 minutes.
Short Questionnaires
You will complete three brief questionnaires about exercise, medication use, and your physical and mental health.
Medical Chart Review
With your permission, we will collect relevant health information from your medical record throughout the study (e.g., bloodwork, medications, diabetes history).
Your name and personal information will not appear in any study reports or publications.
TIME COMMITMENT
The study takes place across 4 visits over 1 year.
Each visit lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
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Visits align with your regular clinic appointments whenever possible
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You can pause or stop at any time
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You may withdraw from the study at any point before your data is analyzed
There are no additional appointments outside these 4 visits.
END GOALS
Our long-term goal is to better understand how GLP-1 medications affect the body, especially muscle and bone, and to identify who may be most at risk of unwanted changes.
The findings from this study will help healthcare providers:
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Tailor treatment plans
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Offer early supports such as physical therapy
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Protect muscle and bone health
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Improve overall diabetes care
We hope this research leads to more personalized, safe, and effective treatment strategies for people living with type 2 diabetes.
CONTACT US
To hear more about participating in our study, please get in touch with us at:
mcdru@sjhc.london.on.ca 1 519 646 6100 EXT. 65520