Preventing type 1 diabetes mellitus: hype and hope
R David G Leslie
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.4-5-442
Clin Med September 2004 R David G Leslie
St Bartholomew's Hospital and Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, University of London
MD FRCPAbstract
Autoimmune diseases affect 10% or more of the UK population. In organ-specific autoimmune diseases a particular tissue is targeted by the aggressive immune response. Type 1 diabetes is due to destruction of insulin-secreting islet cells. Both genetic and environmental factors cause type 1 diabetes and environmental events can operate very early, even in utero. The early induction of diabetes-associated autoantibodies and the long pre-diabetic period means that autoimmune diabetes in children can be predicted by detecting these autoantibodies. The purpose of prediction is prevention and initial studies suggest that it is possible to modify the disease process. However, the impact of such therapy on the disease is as yet extremely modest.
- © 2004 Royal College of Physicians
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Preventing type 1 diabetes mellitus
R David G Leslie
Clinical Medicine Sep 2004, 4 (5) 442-446; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.4-5-442
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