The incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing Type 1 diabetic patients often present with acute symptoms of diabetes and markedly elevated blood glucose levels, and some are diagnosed with life-threatening keto acidosis. Several studies suggest that measuring islet auto antibodies in relatives of those with type 1 diabetes may identify individuals who are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes. Such testing, coupled with education about diabetes symptoms and close follow-up in an observational clinical study, may enable earlier identification of type 1 diabetes onset. There is evidence to suggest that early diagnosis may limit acute complications and extend long-term endogenous insulin production
Testing for Type 1 Diabetes
A recent study reported the risk of progression to type 1 diabetes from the time of serocon version to auto anti body positivity in three pediatric cohorts from Finland, Germany, and the U.S. Of the 585 children who developed more than two auto antibodies, nearly 70% developed type 1 diabetes within 10 years and 84% within 15 years. These findings are highly significant because, while the German group was recruited from offspring of parents with type 1 diabetes, the Finnish and American groups were recruited from the general population. Remarkably, the findings in all three groups were the same, suggesting that the same sequence of events led to clinical disease in both “sporadic” and genetic cases of type 1 diabetes.
While there is currently a lack of accepted screening programs, one should consider referring relatives of those with type 1 diabetes for antibody testing for risk assessment in the setting of a clinical research study Widespread clinical testing of asymptomatic low-risk individuals is not currently recommended due to lack of approved therapeutic interventions. Higher-risk individuals may be tested, but only in the context of a clinical research setting. Individuals who test positive will be counseled about the risk of developing diabetes, diabetes symptoms, and DKA prevention. Numerous clinical studies are being conducted to test various methods of preventing type 1 diabetes in those with evidence of autoimmunity