Multinational study in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: association of age, ketoacidosis, HLA status, and autoantibodies on residual beta-cell function and glycemic control 12 months after diagnosis

The INNODIA Type 1 Diabetes Natural History Study: a European cohort of newly diagnosed children, adolescents and adults

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 1 diabetes is an heterogenous condition. Characterising factors explaining differences in an individual's clinical course and treatment response will have important clinical and research implications. Our aim was to explore type 1 diabetes heterogeneity, as assessed by clinical characteristics, autoantibodies, beta cell function and glycaemic outcomes, during the first 12 months from diagnosis, and how it relates to age at diagnosis.

METHODS

Data were collected from the large INNODIA cohort of individuals (aged 1.0-45.0 years) newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, followed 3 monthly, to assess clinical characteristics, C-peptide, HbA1c and diabetes-associated antibodies, and their changes, during the first 12 months from diagnosis, across three age groups: <10 years; 10-17 years; and ≥18 years.

RESULTS

The study population included 649 individuals (57.3% male; age 12.1±8.3 years), 96.9% of whom were positive for one or more diabetes-related antibodies. Baseline (IQR) fasting C-peptide was 242.0 (139.0-382.0) pmol/l (AUC 749.3 [466.2-1106.1] pmol/l × min), with levels increasing with age (p<0.001). Over time, C-peptide remained lower in participants aged <10 years but it declined in all age groups. In parallel, glucose levels progressively increased. Lower baseline fasting C-peptide, BMI SD score and presence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis were associated with lower stimulated C-peptide over time. HbA1c decreased during the first 3 months (p<0.001), whereas insulin requirement increased from 3 months post diagnosis (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In this large cohort with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, we identified age-related differences in clinical and biochemical variables. Of note, C-peptide was lower in younger children but there were no main age differences in its rate of decline.

Risk predictors of glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To conduct systematic evaluation of the risk predictors of glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Cohort studies on risk predictors of glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were retrieved from CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase databases, etc. from the construction of the repository to 3 February 2023. Literature screening was conducted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, then data extraction of region, sample size, age, follow-up time, risk predictors, outcome indicators, etc., and quality evaluation of The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were conducted by two researchers while the third researcher makes decisions if there are disagreements. Finally, Revman5.4 and StataMP17 were used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies were included, and the results showed that insulin pump [Weighed mean difference (WMD) = -.48, 95% CI (-.73, -.24), p < .01], high-frequency sensor monitoring, early use of insulin pumps, prospective follow-up male, white race, large body mass index-standardised scoring, conscientiousness, agreeableness of mothers, eicosapentaenoic acid, leucine and protein (p < .05) were beneficial for reducing HbA1c levels in children and adolescents with diabetes. Ketoacidosis [WMD = .39, 95% CI (.28, .50), p < .01], selective admission, higher HbA1c level at one time (p < .01), higher glutamate decarboxylase antibody at 1 month after diagnosis, lower socio-economic status, non-living with biological parents, non-two-parent family, family disorder, family history of diabetes and high carbohydrate intake (p < .05) increased HbA1c levels in children and adolescents with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

For children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the use of insulin pump, high-frequency sensor monitoring, prospective follow-up, good family support and reasonable diet are conducive to blood glucose control, while selective admission and DKA are not. Disease characteristics and demographic characteristics of children are closely related to subsequent blood glucose control, and the relationship between diagnosis age and blood glucose control needs to be further explored.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes and Glycemic Outcomes with Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery

The presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with higher glycated hemoglobin levels over time. We evaluated whether hybrid-closed loop (HCL) therapy from onset of T1D could prevent the adverse impact of DKA at diagnosis on long-term glycemic outcomes. This was a posthoc analysis from 51 adolescents using HCL from diagnosis of T1D as part of the CLOuD trial (NCT02871089). We compared glycemic and insulin metrics between adolescents with (n = 17) and without (n = 34) DKA at diagnosis. Participants with and without DKA at diagnosis had similar time in target glucose range 3.9-10.0 mmol/L (70-180 mg/dL), time below range (<3.9 mmol/L, <70 mg/dL) and HbA1c at 6, 12, and 24 months. While insulin requirements at 6 months were higher in those with DKA at diagnosis, this was not statistically significant after adjusting for bodyweight. Residual C-peptide secretion was similar between groups. We conclude that HCL therapy may mitigate against the negative glycemic effects of DKA at T1D diagnosis.

Predictive biomarkers of rapidly developing insulin deficiency in children with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

The rate of progression to complete insulin deficiency varies greatly in type 1 diabetes. This constitutes a challenge, especially when randomizing patients in intervention trials aiming to preserve beta cell function. This study aimed to identify biomarkers predictive of either a rapid or slow disease progression in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of children (<18 years) with type 1 diabetes (N=46) was included at diagnosis and followed until complete insulinopenia (C-peptide <0.03 nmol/L). Children were grouped into rapid progressors (n=20, loss within 30 months) and slow progressors (n=26). A sex-matched control group of healthy children (N=45) of similar age was included for comparison. Multiple biomarkers were assessed by proximity extension assay (PEA) at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

At baseline, rapid progressors had lower C-peptide and higher autoantibody levels than slow. Three biomarkers were higher in the rapid group: carbonic anhydrase 9, corticosteroid 11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme 1, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21. In a linear mixed model, 25 proteins changed over time, irrespective of group. One protein, a coxsackievirus B-adenovirus receptor (CAR) increased over time in rapid progressors. Eighty-one proteins differed between type 1 diabetes and healthy controls. Principal component analysis could not distinguish between rapid, slow, and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differences in individual proteins, the combination of multiple biomarkers analyzed by PEA could not distinguish the rate of progression in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes. Only one marker was altered significantly when considering both time and group effects, namely CAR, which increased significantly over time in the rapid group. Nevertheless, we did find some markers that may be useful in predicting the decline of the C-peptide. Moreover, these could potentially be important for understanding type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.

Predictors of the clinical severity of T1DM presentation at diagnosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess factors associated with the presence and severity of ketoacidosis (DKA) at pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1DM) diagnosis, in relation to pancreatic, associated and familial autoimmunity.

METHODS

Antibodies against pancreatic beta-cells, organ specific autoantibodies (thyroid, celiac, and parietal) and family history of autoimmunity were retrospectively evaluated in 116 T1DM patients aged 11.9 ± 4.6 (mean ± SD) years, with disease duration 7.62 ± 3.67 years (mean ± SD).

RESULTS

Most patients (67.2%) presented with DKA at diagnosis. Younger children (< 2 years) had tenfold risk of DKA, compared to older children (12.1-15 years) (OR = 10.8, 95% CI: 1.0-116.9, P = 0.05). Fasting c-peptide levels were lower in the DKA group (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.07-0.89, P = 0.033). The number of anti-pancreatic antibodies at disease onset did not show any significant correlations with the presence (p = 0.889) or severity of DKA (p = 0.863). All patients with multiple autoimmunity (> 2 autoimmune diseases plus T1DM) presented with DKA. Familial autoimmunity acted protectively against DKA manifestation (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.16-1.0, P = 0.051).

CONCLUSIONS

Among newly diagnosed T1DM patients, 67.2% presented with DKA. Younger age, lower c-peptide and the presence of associated autoimmunity were predictive factors of the presence and severity of DKA at diagnosis. High degree of suspicion, due to family history, may prevent DKA development and severity.

Teplizumab and β-Cell Function in Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Teplizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to CD3 on T cells, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to delay the onset of clinical type 1 diabetes (stage 3) in patients 8 years of age or older with preclinical (stage 2) disease. Whether treatment with intravenous teplizumab in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes can prevent disease progression is unknown.

METHODS

In this phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed β-cell preservation, clinical end points, and safety in children and adolescents who were assigned to receive teplizumab or placebo for two 12-day courses. The primary end point was the change from baseline in β-cell function, as measured by stimulated C-peptide levels at week 78. The key secondary end points were the insulin doses that were required to meet glycemic goals, glycated hemoglobin levels, time in the target glucose range, and clinically important hypoglycemic events.

RESULTS

Patients treated with teplizumab (217 patients) had significantly higher stimulated C-peptide levels than patients receiving placebo (111 patients) at week 78 (least-squares mean difference, 0.13 pmol per milliliter; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09 to 0.17; P<0.001), and 94.9% (95% CI, 89.5 to 97.6) of patients treated with teplizumab maintained a clinically meaningful peak C-peptide level of 0.2 pmol per milliliter or greater, as compared with 79.2% (95% CI, 67.7 to 87.4) of those receiving placebo. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the key secondary end points. Adverse events occurred primarily in association with administration of teplizumab or placebo and included headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, lymphopenia, and mild cytokine release syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Two 12-day courses of teplizumab in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes showed benefit with respect to the primary end point of preservation of β-cell function, but no significant differences between the groups were observed with respect to the secondary end points. (Funded by Provention Bio and Sanofi; PROTECT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03875729.).

Does diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus predict poorer long-term glycemic control

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine (1) whether DKA at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is associated with poorer long-term glycemic control and (2) whether there are confounding factors which may impact the mode of presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus or subsequent glycemic control.

METHODS

This study was conducted via review of 102 patient files extracted from the Young Person's Type 1 Diabetes Clinic at Cork University Hospital. Glycemic control was measured using the average of the patient's three most recent HbA1C levels, recorded a median of 11 years post-diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed a positive association between DKA at diagnosis and poorer long-term glycemic control, with HbA1c levels tracking 6.58 mmol/mol (0.6%) higher at follow up in the group with DKA compared to the group without DKA at diagnosis. Certain sociodemographic factors were found to predict worse glycemic control at follow-up: Individuals using recreational drugs and those reporting mental health difficulties were found to have higher levels of HbA1C at follow up (p = ·006,·012, respectively) compared to individuals who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus was shown to be associated with poorer long-term glycemic control in this study. Furthermore, individuals who utilize recreational drugs or have mental health difficulties had significantly worse glycemic control at follow-up.

First-in-human, double-blind, randomized phase 1b study of peptide immunotherapy IMCY-0098 in new-onset type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a CD4⁺ T cell-driven autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells by CD8⁺ T cells. Achieving glycemic targets in T1D remains challenging in clinical practice; new treatments aim to halt autoimmunity and prolong β-cell survival. IMCY-0098 is a peptide derived from human proinsulin that contains a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase motif at the N-terminus and was developed to halt disease progression by promoting the specific elimination of pathogenic T cells.

METHODS

This first-in-human, 24-week, double-blind phase 1b study evaluated the safety of three dosages of IMCY-0098 in adults diagnosed with T1D < 6 months before study start. Forty-one participants were randomized to receive four bi-weekly injections of placebo or increasing doses of IMCY-0098 (dose groups A/B/C received 50/150/450 μg for priming followed by three further administrations of 25/75/225 μg, respectively). Multiple T1D-related clinical parameters were also assessed to monitor disease progression and inform future development. Long-term follow-up to 48 weeks was also conducted in a subset of patients.

RESULTS

Treatment with IMCY-0098 was well tolerated with no systemic reactions; a total of 315 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 40 patients (97.6%) and were related to study treatment in 29 patients (68.3%). AEs were generally mild; no AE led to discontinuation of the study or death. No significant decline in C-peptide was noted from baseline to Week 24 for dose A, B, C, or placebo (mean change - 0.108, - 0.041, - 0.040, and - 0.012, respectively), suggesting no disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Promising safety profile and preliminary clinical response data support the design of a phase 2 study of IMCY-0098 in patients with recent-onset T1D.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

IMCY-T1D-001: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03272269; EudraCT: 2016-003514-27; and IMCY-T1D-002: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04190693; EudraCT: 2018-003728-35.

Complete remission in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus-prevalence and factors

Little is known about complete remission in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with the discontinuance of insulin treatment for a period of time. In this retrospective study we analysed the frequency and factors of onset and duration of 1. remission and 2. complete remission in children and adolescents with T1D from the Children Diabetes Centre in Bratislava, Slovakia. A total of 529 individuals with T1D, aged < 19 years (8.5 ± 4.3 years) at diabetes onset were included in the study. Remission was defined by HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) and an insulin daily dose < 0.5 IU/kg (and 0 IU/kg for complete remission). Remission occurred in 210 (39.7%) participants, and 15 of them had complete remission (2.8% from all participants). We have identified a new independent factor of complete remission onset (higher C-peptide). Complete remitters had a longer duration of remission compared with other remitters and also differed in lower HbA1c levels. No association was seen with autoantibodies or genetic risk score for T1D. Thus, not only partial but also complete remission is influenced by factors pointing toward an early diagnosis of T1D, which is important for better patient outcome.

A perspective on treating type 1 diabetes mellitus before insulin is needed

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a progressive autoimmune disease that starts long before a clinical diagnosis is made. The American Diabetes Association recognizes three stages: stage 1 (normoglycaemic and positive for autoantibodies to β-cell antigens); stage 2 (asymptomatic with dysglycaemia); and stage 3, which is defined by glucose levels consistent with the definition of diabetes mellitus. This Perspective focuses on the management of the proportion of individuals with early stage 3 T1DM who do not immediately require insulin; a stage we propose should be termed stage 3a. To date, this period of non-insulin-dependent T1DM has been largely unrecognized. Importantly, it represents a window of opportunity for intervention, as remaining at this stage might delay the need for insulin by months or years. Extending the insulin-free period and/or avoiding unnecessary insulin therapy are important goals, as there is no risk of hypoglycaemia during this period and the adherence burden on patients of glycaemic monitoring and daily adjustments for diet and exercise is substantially reduced. Recognizing the pressing need for guidance on adequate management of children and adults with stage 3a T1DM, we present our perspective on the subject, which needs to be tested in formal and adequately powered clinical trials.

Higher risk of severe hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with a rapid loss of C-peptide during the first 6 years after type 1 diabetes diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

The progression to insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes is heterogenous. This study aimed to identify early characteristics associated with rapid or slow decline of beta-cell function and how it affects the clinical course.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Stimulated C-peptide was assessed by mixed meal tolerance test in 50 children (<18 years) during 2004-2017, at regular intervals for 6 years from type 1 diabetes diagnosis. 40% of the children had a rapid decline of stimulated C-peptide defined as no measurable C-peptide (<0.03 nmol/L) 30 months after diagnosis.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, higher frequencies of detectable glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) and IA-2A (p=0.027) were associated with rapid loss of beta-cell function. C-peptide was predicted positively by age at 18 months (p=0.017) and 30 months duration (p=0.038). BMI SD scores (BMISDS) at diagnosis predicted higher C-peptide at diagnosis (p=0.006), 3 months (p=0.002), 9 months (p=0.005), 30 months (p=0.022), 3 years (p=0.009), 4 years (p=0.016) and 6 years (p=0.026), whereas high HbA1c and blood glucose at diagnosis predicted a lower C-peptide at diagnosis (p=<0.001) for both comparisons. Both GADA and IA-2A were negative predictors of C-peptide at 9 months (p=0.011), 18 months (p=0.008) and 30 months (p<0.001). Ten children had 22 events of severe hypoglycemia, and they had lower mean C-peptide at 18 months (p=0.025), 30 months (p=0.008) and 6 years (p=0.018) compared with others. Seven of them had a rapid decline of C-peptide (p=0.030), and the odds to experience a severe hypoglycemia were nearly fivefold increased (OR=4.846, p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Low age and presence of multiple autoantibodies at diagnosis predicts a rapid loss of beta-cell function in children with type 1 diabetes. Low C-peptide is associated with an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia and higher Hemoglobin A1C. A high BMISDS at diagnosis is predictive of remaining beta-cell function during the 6 years of follow-up.

Closed-Loop Therapy and Preservation of C-Peptide Secretion in Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Whether improved glucose control with hybrid closed-loop therapy can preserve C-peptide secretion as compared with standard insulin therapy in persons with new-onset type 1 diabetes is unclear.

METHODS

In a multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, randomized trial, we assigned youths 10.0 to 16.9 years of age within 21 days after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes to receive hybrid closed-loop therapy or standard insulin therapy (control) for 24 months. The primary end point was the area under the curve (AUC) for the plasma C-peptide level (after a mixed-meal tolerance test) at 12 months after diagnosis. The analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

A total of 97 participants (mean [±SD] age, 12±2 years) underwent randomization: 51 were assigned to receive closed-loop therapy and 46 to receive control therapy. The AUC for the C-peptide level at 12 months (primary end point) did not differ significantly between the two groups (geometric mean, 0.35 pmol per milliliter [interquartile range, 0.16 to 0.49] with closed-loop therapy and 0.46 pmol per milliliter [interquartile range, 0.22 to 0.69] with control therapy; mean adjusted difference, -0.06 pmol per milliliter [95% confidence interval {CI}, -0.14 to 0.03]). There was not a substantial between-group difference in the AUC for the C-peptide level at 24 months (geometric mean, 0.18 pmol per milliliter [interquartile range, 0.06 to 0.22] with closed-loop therapy and 0.24 pmol per milliliter [interquartile range, 0.05 to 0.30] with control therapy; mean adjusted difference, -0.04 pmol per milliliter [95% CI, -0.14 to 0.06]). The arithmetic mean glycated hemoglobin level was lower in the closed-loop group than in the control group by 4 mmol per mole (0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, 0 to 8 mmol per mole [0.0 to 0.7 percentage points]) at 12 months and by 11 mmol per mole (1.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 7 to 15 mmol per mole [0.5 to 1.5 percentage points]) at 24 months. Five cases of severe hypoglycemia occurred in the closed-loop group (in 3 participants), and one occurred in the control group; one case of diabetic ketoacidosis occurred in the closed-loop group.

CONCLUSIONS

In youths with new-onset type 1 diabetes, intensive glucose control for 24 months did not appear to prevent the decline in residual C-peptide secretion. (Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and others; CLOuD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02871089.).

Initial neutrophil/lymphocyte and lymphocyte/monocyte ratios can predict future insulin need in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

The exact mechanism of partial clinical remission in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has not been elucidated yet. The severity of the inflammation at the time of diagnosis may affect the occurrence or duration of this phase. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hematological inflammatory parameters at the time of diagnosis in T1DM and (i) daily insulin requirement during the follow-up and (ii) the presence of partial clinical remission period, which was determined according to insulin dose-adjusted HbA_1c levels.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective study was conducted, including children who were diagnosed with T1DM, were positive for at least one autoantibody, and were followed up for one year in our clinic between 2010 and 2020.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients (55.9% female, 64.7% prepubertal) were included in the study, whose mean age was 8.4 ± 4.2 years. A total of 38 patients (55.9%) had partial clinical remission. None of the initial hematological indices were associated with the occurrence of partial remission. Initial neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived-NLR (d-NLR) levels were significantly lower (p=0.011 and 0.033, respectively) and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) levels were significantly higher (p=0.005) in patients who showed an insulin requirement of <0.5 IU/kg/day at the 3rd month after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial hematological parameters were not found as a predictor of partial clinical remission period in T1DM in children. However, a lower NLR and d-NLR, or a higher LMR at the time of diagnosis can be used as an indicator of a low daily insulin need at the 3rd month of T1DM.

Good glycemic control without exceeding the BMI trajectory during the first 5 years of treatment in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To study BMI changes and glycemic control in children and adolescents during the first 5 years following diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The 295 children and adolescents (<18 years) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes started on multiple injection treatment and were followed during the first 5 years of treatment with respect to glycemic control and weight change. Growth curves preceding the onset of diabetes were obtained from the school health services and child care centers. BMI was recalculated into BMI SD scores (BMISDS).

RESULTS

Prior to the onset of diabetes, the BMISDS was 0.46 ± 1.24 (mean ± SD), which decreased to -0.61 ± 1.36 (p < 0.001) at presentation. At 1 year, BMISDS was 0.59 ± 0.99 (p > 0.05) and increased to 0.80 ± 1.03 at 5 years; 0.97 ± 0.93 in females versus 0.68 ± 1.08 in males (p < 0.001). BMISDS at 1 year and 5 years were directly proportional to and highly predicted by BMISDS prior to the onset of type 1 diabetes, (r = 0.76; p < 0.001) vs. (r = 0.58; p < 0.001). HbA1c at 1 year was 50 ± 10 mmol/mol, which increased to 58 ± 12 mmol/mol (p < 0.001) at 5 years; females had HbA1c 60 ± 14 mmol/mol versus males 56 ± 11 mmol/mol (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). There was a correlation, irrespective of gender, between HbA1c and BMISDS at 1 year (r = 0.18, p < 0.003), but not at 5 years (r = 0.036, (p > 0.5).

CONCLUSION

During the first 5 years of treatment of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents it is possible to achieve good glycemic control without excess weight gain.

Partial remission in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: an analysis based on the insulin dose-adjusted hemoglobin A1c

OBJECTIVES

Most patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience a transient phase of partial remission (PR). This study aimed to identify the demographic and clinical factors associated with PR.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 133 children and adolescents with T1D. PR was defined by the gold standard insulin dose-adjusted hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (IDAA1c) of ≤9.

RESULTS

Remission was observed in 77 (57.9%) patients. At diagnosis, remitters had significantly higher pH (7.3 ± 0.12 vs. 7.23 ± 0.15, p=0.003), higher C-peptide levels (0.45 ± 0.31 ng/mL vs. 0.3 ± 0.22, p=0.003), and they were significantly older (9.3 ± 3.6 years vs. 7.3 ± 4.2, p=0.008) compared with non-remitters. PR developed more frequently in patients without diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (p=0.026) and with disease onset after age 5 (p=0.001). Patients using multiple daily insulin regimen were more likely to experience PR than those treated with a twice daily regimen (63.9 vs. 32%, p=0.004). Only age at onset was an independent predictor of PR (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1-1.25; p=0.044). Remitters had lower HbA1c levels and daily insulin requirement from diagnosis until one year after diagnosis (p<0.001). PR recurred in 7 (9%) patients. The daily insulin requirement at three months was lower in remitters with PR recurrence compared to those without (0.23 ± 0.14 vs. 0.4 ± 0.17 U/kg/day, p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing factors associated with the occurrence of PR could provide a better comprehension of metabolic control in T1D. The lack of DKA and higher C-peptide levels may influence PR, but the main factor associated with PR presence was older age at onset. PR may recur in a small proportion of patients.

Islet autoantibody types mark differential clinical characteristics at diagnosis of pediatric type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

We aimed to study whether islet autoantibody type marks differential characteristics at the time of type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis.

METHODS

We studied 711 children with newly diagnosed autoimmune T1D. We compared demographic (sex, age, race/ethnicity), clinical (pubertal development, BMI percentile, diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA]) and laboratory (glucose, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], C-peptide, tissue transglutaminase antibodies [tTGA], thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPOA]) characteristics by presence/absence of autoantibodies to insulin (IAA), GAD65 (GADA), or IA-2/ICA512 (IA-2A). Islet autoantibody titers were evaluated among the children positive for the relevant autoantibody type. We used multivariable analysis to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS

IAA+ was statistically associated with younger age (p < 0.0001) and lower HbA1c (p = 0.049) while Tanner stage, GADA status and number of positive islet autoantibodies were not significant in the multivariable model. GADA+ was associated with female sex (OR = 4.0, p = 0.002) and negatively with elevated tTGA titers (>50 U/mL) (OR = 0.21, p = 0.026) but not with age, IAA status, IA-2A status, islet autoantibody number, or thyroid autoimmunity. None of the associations with IA-2A positivity was statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. In multivariable models, IAA titer was significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.006), DKA (p = 0.017) and higher tTGA levels (p = 0.002); GADA titer with female sex (p = 0.028), racial minority (p = 0.046) and TPOA positivity (p = 0.021); and IA-2A titer with older age (p = 0.001) and not being African American (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Islet autoantibody type is associated with differential characteristics at diagnosis of pediatric T1D. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to evaluate T1D endotypes by autoantibody type.

Glucagon stimulation test as a possible predictor of residual β-cell function

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the significance of the C-peptide levels on a glucagon stimulation test (GST) conducted soon after diagnosis as a predictive marker for residual β-cell function over time in Japanese children with type 1 diabetes (TD1).

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 65 Japanese children (25 male, 40 female; age <16 years) with new-onset TD1. A GST was conducted within 1 month of diagnosis, when glucose toxicity improved. One- to 2-h postprandial serum C-peptide values were measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, and 120 months after diagnosis.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cutoff values of peak serum C-peptide levels used to predict the complete destruction of β-cells at 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis were all 0.20 ng/mL (area under the curve [AUC] 0.867, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.745-0.990; AUC 0.774, 95% CI 0.634-0.914; and AUC 0.804, 95% CI 0.695-0.914, respectively); the values at 24, 36, and 60 months were 0.69 ng/mL (AUC 0.828, 95% CI 0.721-0.936), 0.60 ng/mL (AUC 0.777, 95% CI 0.636-0.918), and 0.70 ng/mL (AUC 0.848, 95% CI 0.715-0.982), respectively. On multivariate analysis, peak serum C-peptide level on a GST, diabetic ketoacidosis, age, and HbA1c level at diagnosis were associated with residual β-cell function over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Peak serum C-peptide levels on a GST conducted soon after diagnosis in Japanese children with TD1 could predict the time to decrease in postprandial serum C-peptide values to < 0.20 ng/mL.

Genetic Composition and Autoantibody Titers Model the Probability of Detecting C-Peptide Following Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

We and others previously demonstrated that a type 1 diabetes genetic risk score (GRS) improves the ability to predict disease progression and onset in at-risk subjects with islet autoantibodies. Here, we hypothesized that GRS and islet autoantibodies, combined with age at onset and disease duration, could serve as markers of residual β-cell function following type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Generalized estimating equations were used to investigate whether GRS along with insulinoma-associated protein-2 autoantibody (IA-2A), zinc transporter 8 autoantibody (ZnT8A), and GAD autoantibody (GADA) titers were predictive of C-peptide detection in a largely cross-sectional cohort of 401 subjects with type 1 diabetes (median duration 4.5 years [range 0-60]). Indeed, a combined model with incorporation of disease duration, age at onset, GRS, and titers of IA-2A, ZnT8A, and GADA provided superior capacity to predict C-peptide detection (quasi-likelihood information criterion [QIC] = 334.6) compared with the capacity of disease duration, age at onset, and GRS as the sole parameters (QIC = 359.2). These findings support the need for longitudinal validation of our combinatorial model. The ability to project the rate and extent of decline in residual C-peptide production for individuals with type 1 diabetes could critically inform enrollment and benchmarking for clinical trials where investigators are seeking to preserve or restore endogenous β-cell function.

Combination of vitamin D and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (VIDPP-4i) as an immunomodulation therapy for autoimmune diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) represent the most common types of autoimmune diabetes and are characterized by different age of onset, degrees of immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells and rates of disease progression towards insulin dependence. Several immunotherapies aimed to counteract autoimmune responses against beta cells and preserve beta-cell function are currently being investigated, particularly in T1D. Preliminary findings suggest a potential role of combination therapy with vitamin D and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (VIDPP-4i) in preserving beta-cell function in autoimmune diabetes. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D and DPP-4 inhibitors, as well as the rationale for investigation of their combined use as an immunomodulation therapy for autoimmune diabetes.

A clinical diagnostic model based on an eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithm to distinguish type 1 diabetes

Background

Accurate classification of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the early phase is crucial for individual precision treatment. This study aimed to develop a classification model having fewer and easier to access clinical variables to distinguish T1DM in newly diagnosed diabetes in adults.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data were collected from 15,206 adults with newly diagnosed diabetes in this cross-sectional study. This cohort represented 20 provinces and 4 municipalities in China. Types of diabetes were determined based on postprandial C-peptide (PCP) level and glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADA) titer. We developed multivariable clinical diagnostic models using the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. Classification variables included in the final model were based on their scores of importance. Model performance was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. The performance of models with different variable combinations was compared. Calibration intercept and slope were evaluated for the final model.

Results

Among the newly diagnosed diabetes cohort, 1,465 (9.63%) persons had T1DM and 13,741 (90.37%) had T2DM. Body mass index (BMI) contributed the most to the model, followed by age of onset and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Compared with models with other clinical variable combinations, a final model that integrated age of onset, BMI and HbA1c had relatively higher performance. The ROC AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for this model were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.85), 0.77, and 0.76, respectively. The calibration intercept and slope were 0.02 (95% CI, –0.03 to 0.06) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.02), respectively, which suggested a good calibration performance.

Conclusions

Our classification model that integrated age of onset, BMI, and HbA1c could distinguish T1DM from T2DM, which provides a useful tool in assisting physicians in subtyping and precising treatment in diabetes.

SKAP2, a Candidate Gene for Type 1 Diabetes, Regulates β-Cell Apoptosis and Glycemic Control in Newly Diagnosed Patients

The single nucleotide polymorphism rs7804356 located in the Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2 (SKAP2) gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D), suggesting SKAP2 as a causal candidate gene. The objective of the study was to investigate if SKAP2 has a functional role in the β-cells in relation to T1D. In a cohort of children with newly diagnosed T1D, rs7804356 predicted glycemic control and residual β-cell function during the 1st year after diagnosis. In INS-1E cells and rat and human islets, proinflammatory cytokines reduced the content of SKAP2. Functional studies revealed that knockdown of SKAP2 aggravated cytokine-induced apoptosis in INS-1E cells and primary rat β-cells, suggesting an antiapoptotic function of SKAP2. In support of this, overexpression of SKAP2 afforded protection against cytokine-induced apoptosis, which correlated with reduced nuclear content of S536-phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunit p65, lower nitric oxide production, and diminished CHOP expression indicative of decreased endoplasmic reticulum stress. Knockdown of CHOP partially counteracted the increase in cytokine-induced apoptosis caused by SKAP2 knockdown. In conclusion, our results suggest that SKAP2 controls β-cell sensitivity to cytokines possibly by affecting the NF-κB-inducible nitric oxide synthase-endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

Clinical Impact of Residual C-Peptide Secretion in Type 1 Diabetes on Glycemia and Microvascular Complications

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the relationship of residual C-peptide secretion to glycemic outcomes and microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

C-peptide was measured in an untimed blood sample in the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Type 1 Bioresource (SDRNT1BIO) cohort of 6,076 people with type 1 diabetes monitored for an average of 5.2 years.

RESULTS

In regression models adjusted for age at onset and duration, effect sizes for C-peptide ≥200 vs. <5 pmol/L were as follows: insulin dose at baseline, 27% lower (P = 2 × 10^-39); HbA_1c during follow-up, 4.9 mmol/mol lower (P = 3 × 10^-13); hazard ratio for hospital admission for diabetic ketoacidosis during follow-up, 0.44 (P = 0.0001); odds ratio for incident retinopathy, 0.51 (P = 0.0003). Effects on the risk of serious hypoglycemic episodes were detectable at lower levels of C-peptide, and the form of the relationship was continuous down to the limit of detection (3 pmol/L). In regression models contrasting C-peptide 30 to <200 pmol/L with <5 pmol/L, the odds ratio for self-report of at least one serious hypoglycemic episode in the last year was 0.56 (P = 6 × 10^-8), and the hazard ratio for hospital admission for hypoglycemia during follow-up was 0.52 (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These results in a large representative cohort suggest that even minimal residual C-peptide secretion could have clinical benefit in type 1 diabetes, in contrast to a follow-up study of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) intensively treated cohort where an effect on hypoglycemia was seen only at C-peptide levels ≥130 pmol/L. This has obvious implications for the design and evaluation of trials of interventions to preserve or restore pancreatic islet function in type 1 diabetes.

The Process of Managing the Children with Type 1 Diabetes in the Family: A Grounded Theory Study

Background:

Diabetes is a disease that affects all family members. Parents of children with type 1 diabetes are always concerned about all aspects of children's life. The aim of this study was to elucidate the process of managing children with diabetes in the family.

Materials and Methods:

This is a qualitative grounded theory of a doctoral dissertation, which was done on 2016. The 18 participants were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation. The main participants in this study included parents, siblings, and children with type 1 diabetes. The data was gathered by semi-structured interviews as well as field notes and memos. Data analysis was done concurrently with data collection in four levels, including data analysis for concept and contex, bringing the process into the analysis, and integration of categories according to Corbin and Struss (2008). Core category appeared at the end of integrated categories.

Results:

“The family with diabetes in the child's diabetes orbit” as a core category contains the process of managing children with diabetes within the family, which included three main subcategories, including “entering into the diabetes orbit”, “movement into the diabetes orbit”, and “living into the diabetes orbit”.

Conclusions:

The family through the concept of “The family with diabetes in the child's diabetes orbit “as a main concern of families with diabetes suffering diabetes attempt to select and practicing appropriate strategies and manage diabetes and children with diabetes.

[Is it possible to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of pediatric type 1 diabetes? Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic]

Hintergrund

Die diabetische Ketoacidose (DKA) ist ein lebensbedrohlicher Notfall bei Manifestation eines Diabetes mellitus Typ 1 (DM1) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, häufig bei verspäteter Diagnosestellung oder vorheriger Fehldiagnose. Während der Zeit des „Coronavirus-disease-2019(COVID-19)-Lockdowns“ in Deutschland stellten sich weniger Patienten in Notfallambulanzen und Arztpraxen vor.

Fragestellung

Hat sich der Anteil der DKA bei Manifestation eines DM1 in der pädiatrischen Population in diesem Zeitraum verändert, und welche Gruppen sind besonders gefährdet, eine DKA zu erleiden?

Material und Methoden

Die DKA-Häufigkeit in der Zeit vom 13.03.2020 bis 13.05.2020 wurde bei Patienten <18 Jahren mit DM1-Manifestation in pädiatrischen Diabeteszentren untersucht. Die Diabeteszentren dokumentierten ihre Einschätzung, ob durch COVID-19 die Vorstellung verzögert war. Um den Einfluss von Risikofaktoren auf die DKA-Häufigkeit zu analysieren, erfolgte ein Vergleich der Daten aus dem Jahr 2020 mit denselben Zeiträumen der Jahre 2018 und 2019 mit linearen und logistischen Regressionsmodellen.

Ergebnisse

Die Daten von 532 Patienten aus 216 Diabeteszentren zeigten, dass das Risiko für eine DKA im Vergleich zu den Jahren 2018/2019 um 84,7 % und für eine schwere DKA um 45,3 % erhöht war. Kinder <6 Jahren waren mit einer Steigerung einer DKA um 141,6 % bzw. einer schweren DKA um 97,0 % besonders betroffen. Migrationshintergrund war ein COVID-19-unabhängiger Risikofaktor. Insgesamt wurden 31 % der Patienten verspätet vorgestellt, oder ihre Diagnose wurde zuvor verkannt.

Diskussion

In der Zeit des „COVID-19-Lockdowns“ war die Häufigkeit der DKA bei DM1-Manifestation für Kinder und Jugendliche signifikant erhöht. Alter <6 Jahre, Migrationshintergrund und verzögerte Vorstellung waren die Hauptrisikofaktoren.

Influence of Age on Partial Clinical Remission among Children with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes

Partial clinical remission (PCR) is a transitory period characterized by the residual endogenous insulin secretion following type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis and introducing the insulin therapy. Scientific interest in PCR has been recently increasing, as this phase could be crucial to preserve functional beta cells after T1D onset, also taking advantage of new therapeutic opportunities. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency, duration and associated factors of PCR in children newly diagnosed with T1D. Our cohort study included 167 pediatric patients aged 13.8 ± 4.1 years. The association of clinical and laboratory factors with the occurrence and duration of PCR was evaluated via logistic regression and multivariable generalized linear model, respectively. PCR occurred in 63.5% of the examined patients. Patients who achieved the remission phase were significantly older, and they had lower daily insulin requirement compared with non-remitters. PCR was positively associated to body mass index (OR = 1.11; p = 0.032), pH value (OR 49.02; p = 0.003) and c-peptide levels (OR 12.8; p = 0.002). The average duration of PCR was 13.4 months, and older age at diagnosis was the only predictor factor. Two years after diagnosis remitter patients had lower HbA1c and daily insulin requirement.

Frequency and severity of ketoacidosis at diagnosis among childhood type 1 diabetes in Khartoum state, Sudan

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life threatening acute complication of Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of pediatric DKA at diagnosis of new-onset T1DM in Khartoum during 2000-2017 period.

METHODS

The study was retrospective and involved review of medical files of children (<15 years) with T1DM in the city hospitals and diabetes centers.

RESULTS

The overall frequency of DKA among T1DM children at onset of disease diagnosis was 17.6% (173/982). The episodes of DKA increased from 26% in first 6- year period (2000-2005) to 46.3% in the last 6-year period (2011-2012; p<0.001). No significant difference in the frequency of DKA was observed according to gender (p=0.9) and age (p=0.24). Compared to other age groups, the severity of DKA (pH<7.1) was higher in pre-school children (p<0.01). Approximately, 5% of patients were complicated with cerebral edema with a mortality rate of 1.7%.

CONCLUSION

The DKA frequency at diagnosis of childhood T1DM in Khartoum was lower than previous reports. In addition, the severity of DKA was high among pre-school age children with a relatively high mortality rate when compared to the global rate.

Complicated curve association of body weight at diagnosis with C-peptide in children and adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes

AIM

To investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) or BMI z-score (BMIz) at diagnosis with β-cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients in children and adults.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study; 256 children (<18 years) and 245 adults (≥18 years) with less than 1-year duration were recruited and followed for 4 years with an interval of 12 months. Smooth curve fitting, a two-piecewise linear model, and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to investigate the influence of BMI/BMIz on C-peptide levels.

RESULTS

Heavier patients (BMIz ≥ -1 in children and BMI in adults ≥20.2 kg/m² ) had greater C-peptide with a complicated J curve in all age groups after adjustment for age of onset, sex, and disease duration. Moreover, after 4 years of follow-up, patients with higher BMI/BMIz had a lower risk of β-cell failure (HR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-1.0; P = .026). However, no association was found between baseline BMI/BMIz at diagnosis and C-peptide rate of decline during 1 year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Association between BMI/BMIz and C-peptide in T1D followed a complicated J curve pattern, and heavier patients had greater C-peptide at diagnosis and a lower risk of β-cell failure at 4 years, suggesting that baseline BMI is a useful predictor for β-cell function in patients with T1D.

Clinical and genetic correlates of islet-autoimmune signatures in juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Heterogeneity in individuals with type 1 diabetes has become more generally appreciated, but has not yet been extensively and systematically characterised. Here, we aimed to characterise type 1 diabetes heterogeneity by creating immunological, genetic and clinical profiles for individuals with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes in a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Participants were HLA-genotyped to determine HLA-DR-DQ risk, and SNP-genotyped to generate a non-HLA genetic risk score (GRS) based on 93 type 1 diabetes-associated SNP variants outside the MHC region. Islet autoimmunity was assessed as T cell proliferation upon stimulation with the beta cell antigens GAD65, islet antigen-2 (IA-2), preproinsulin (PPI) and defective ribosomal product of the insulin gene (INS-DRIP). Clinical parameters were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 80 individuals, 67 had proliferation responses to one or more islet antigens, with vast differences in the extent of proliferation. Based on the multitude and amplitude of the proliferation responses, individuals were clustered into non-, intermediate and high responders. High responders could not be characterised entirely by enrichment for the highest risk HLA-DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 genotype. However, high responders did have a significantly higher non-HLA GRS. Clinically, high T cell responses to beta cell antigens did not reflect in worsened glycaemic control, increased complications, development of associated autoimmunity or younger age at disease onset. The number of beta cell antigens that an individual responded to increased with disease duration, pointing to chronic islet autoimmunity and epitope spreading.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Collectively, these data provide new insights into type 1 diabetes disease heterogeneity and highlight the importance of stratifying patients on the basis of their genetic and autoimmune signatures for immunotherapy and personalised disease management.

Better HbA1c during the first years after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is associated with residual C peptide 10 years later

OBJECTIVE

To identify the factors associated with residual C peptide production at least 10 years after diagnosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

73 children and adolescents (<25 years), born in 1988-2005, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were included during the 4-year study period (2013-2016). At least 10 years after diagnosis, we measured any remaining C peptide concentration using an ultrasensitive C peptide ELISA (≥1.17 pmol/L). The average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was calculated during each of the 10 years after diagnosis and further grand average was calculated for the entire study period.

RESULTS

C peptide was detectable in 38% of participants. The C peptide concentration was 4.3±5.3 pmol/L. At onset of type 1 diabetes, participants were on average approximately 5 years of age, and their average HbA1c was 9.4% (79 mmol/mol). During the first 3 years after diagnosis, HbA1c was lower in the group with detectable C peptide at follow-up ≥10 years later. Moreover, detectable C peptide was more common among female participants. Body mass index SD scores had not increased since the 1-year follow-up, but were higher in patients with measurable C peptide. Nine participants (12%) had been diagnosed with celiac disease and two (3%) with hypothyreosis. Eighteen (25%) participants had retinopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents with detectable C peptide after more than 10 years of diabetes duration were predominantly female and had better HbA1c than others during the first 3 years after diagnosis.

Blood Co-Circulating Extracellular microRNAs and Immune Cell Subsets Associate with Type 1 Diabetes Severity

Immune cell subsets and microRNAs have been independently proposed as type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers. Here, we aimed to analyze the relationships between peripheral blood circulating immune cell subsets, plasmatic microRNAs, and T1D. Blood samples were obtained from both children with T1D at diagnosis and age-sex matched healthy controls. Then, immunophenotype assessed by flow cytometry was coupled with the quantification of 60 plasmatic microRNAs by quantitative RT-PCR. The associations between immune cell frequency, plasmatic microRNAs, and the parameters of pancreatic loss, glycemic control, and diabetic ketoacidosis were assessed by logistic regression models and correlation analyses. We found that the increase in specific plasmatic microRNAs was associated with T1D disease onset (let-7c-5p, let-7d-5p, let-7f-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-423-3p, and miR-423-5p), serum C-peptide concentration (miR-142-5p and miR-29c-3p), glycated hemoglobin (miR-26a-5p and miR-223-3p) and the presence of ketoacidosis (miR-29c-3p) more strongly than the evaluated immune cell subset frequency. Some of these plasmatic microRNAs were shown to positively correlate with numbers of blood circulating B lymphocytes (miR-142-5p) and CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ (miR-146a-5p and miR-223-3p) and CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells (miR-423-3p and miR-223-3p) in children with T1D but not in healthy controls, suggesting a disease-specific microRNA association with immune dysregulation in T1D. In conclusion, our results suggest that, while blood co-circulating extracellular microRNAs and immune cell subsets may be biologically linked, microRNAs may better provide powerful information about T1D onset and severity.

Distinct Patterns of Daily Glucose Variability by Pubertal Status in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate glycemia and metrics of glucose variability in youth with type 1 diabetes, and to assess patterns of 24-h glucose variability according to pubertal status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Metrics of glycemia, glucose variability, and glucose patterns were assessed by using 4 weeks of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from 107 youth aged 8-17 years with type 1 diabetes for ≥1 year. Glucose values per hour were expressed as percentages relative to the mean glucose over 24 h for a 4-week period. Glucose data were compared on the basis of pubertal status-prepubertal (Tanner stage [T] 1), pubertal (T2-4), and postpubertal (T5)-and A1C categories (<7.5% [<58 mmol/mol], ≥7.5% [≥58 mmol/mol]).

RESULTS

Youth (50% female, 95% white) had a mean ± SD age of 13.1 ± 2.6 years, diabetes duration of 6.3 ± 3.5 years, and A1C of 7.8 ± 0.8% (62 ± 9 mmol/mol); 88% were pump treated. Prepubertal youth had a higher mean glucose SD (86 ± 12 mg/dL [4.8 ± 0.7 mmol/L]; P = 0.01) and coefficient of variation (CV) (43 ± 5%; P = 0.06) than did pubertal (SD 79 ± 13 mg/dL [4.4 ± 0.7 mmol/L]; CV 41 ± 5%) and postpubertal (SD 77 ± 14 mg/dL [4.3 ± 0.8 mmol/L]; CV 40 ± 5%) youth. Over 24 h, prepubertal youth had the largest excursions from mean glucose and the highest CV across most hours compared with pubertal and postpubertal youth. Across all youth, CV was strongly correlated with the percentage of time with glucose <70 mg/dL (<3.9 mmol/L) (r = 0.79; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prepubertal youth had greater glucose variability independent of A1C than did pubertal and postpubertal youth. A1C alone does not capture the full range of glycemic parameters, highlighting the added insight of CGM in managing youth with type 1 diabetes.

Prognosis for residual islet β-cell secretion function in young patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

This study investigated possible predictors of residual islet β-cell function (RBF) in young patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

After analyzing RBF in 443 patients with T1D according to age at diagnosis and disease duration, 110 were followed-up over 18-60 months. A nomogram was developed by logistic regression to explore factors associated with long-term RBF.

RESULTS

Of the 443 T1D patients (mean [±SD] age 20.28 ± 5.50 years; mean [±SD] diabetes duration 28.5 ± 14.6 months), RBF was preserved in 64.3%. Independent predictors for poor RBF outcome among the 110 patients in the follow-up cohort were age at onset (odds ratio [OR] 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.92; P < 0.001), high-risk human leukocyte antigen (HLA) status (OR 4.73; CI 1.28-17.52; P = 0.020), female sex (OR 3.39; CI 1.03-11.22; P = 0.045), and a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA; OR 8.71; CI 2.31-32.83; P < 0.001). Baseline glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody, family history of diabetes, body mass index, insulin dosage, and C-peptide and HbA1c levels were not associated with poor RBF outcome. Intensive glycemic control after T1D diagnosis may improve RBF within a mean (±SD) follow-up of 35.1 ± 13.8 months. The calibration plot for the probability of 2-, 3-, and 4-year RBF showed optimal agreement between nomogram-predicted and actual observed probabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger age of onset, female sex, higher HLA risk status, and a history of DKA were the main factors predicting long-term poor preserved β-cell function. Glycemic control could improve RBF during the course of diabetes. The nomogram provides an individualized risk estimate of RBF in patients with newly diagnosed T1D within Chinese Han populations.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes: Rates and Risk Factors Today to 15 Years Ago

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious, potentially lethal complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus that may be present at diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with presentation in DKA in new-onset youth and compare the rate of DKA and risk factors to a similar study 15 years prior. This study was a retrospective chart review of newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus from 2010 to 2013. Of the 276 patients, 29% presented in DKA, compared with 38% 15 years prior (P < .002). Those with Medicaid, those misdiagnosed at initial encounter, and those not evaluated by a pediatrician initially were more likely to present in DKA (P = .002, P = .002, P < .001, respectively). The diagnosis of diabetes was not elicited in one third of patients who ultimately presented in DKA. Pediatricians should be reeducated to ask about polyuria and polydipsia in routine encounters. Furthermore, public awareness initiatives are needed to reduce late presentation in DKA.

Ketoacidosis at onset of type 1 diabetes in children up to 14 years of age and the changes over a period of 18 years in Saxony, Eastern-Germany: A population based register study

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence trends of type 1 diabetes diagnosed with ketoacidosis in Saxony, Germany from 1999 to 2016.

Methods

The population based Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony comprising valid data for all children aged 0–14 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from1999 to 2016 were used for the analyses. Direct age-standardized incidence rates were calculated and the effects of age, sex, calendar year, home districts and family history of any types of diabetes on the incidence were modelled using Poisson regression. Trend analyses for standard rate ratios of children with moderate and severe diabetic ketoacidosis versus children with type 1 diabetes with non-diabetic ketoacidosis were performed using join point regression.

Results

The rate of ketoacidosis at the time of the type 1 diabetes diagnosis was high with 35.2% during the entire observation period in Saxony. The Poisson regression analysis indicated a statistically significant increased occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis for younger age-groups, but no statistically significant differences between boys and girls. The join point trend analyses show that the proportion of severe and moderate ketoacidosis is increasing disproportionally to the increase in incidence of type 1 diabetes over the years.

Conclusion

Due to the observed increasing incidence of diabetes as well of diabetic ketoacidosis, an educational prevention campaign is needed in Saxony as soon as possible to aid pediatricians, general physicians as well as general public to identify the early signs of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and glycemic control over time: The SEARCH for diabetes in youth study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in youth is often associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We aimed to evaluate if the presence of DKA at diagnosis of T1D is associated with less favorable hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) trajectories over time.

METHODS

The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study of 1396 youth aged <20 years with newly diagnosed T1D were followed for up to 13 (median 8 [interquartile range or IQR 6-9]) years after diagnosis. Of these, 397 (28%) had DKA (bicarbonate level < 15 mmol/L and/or pH < 7.25 (venous) or < 7.30 (arterial or capillary) or mention of DKA in medical records) at diabetes onset. Longitudinal HbA1c levels were measured at each follow-up visit (average number of HbA1c measures 3.4). A linear piecewise mixed effects model was used to analyze the effect of DKA status at diagnosis of T1D on long-term glycemic control, adjusting for age at diagnosis, diabetes duration at baseline, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, health insurance status, time-varying insulin regimen and glucose self-monitoring, study site, and baseline fasting C-peptide level.

RESULTS

At baseline, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in youth with T1D diagnosed in DKA vs those who were not (9.9% ± 1.5% vs 8.5% ± 1.4%, respectively). After the first year with diabetes, there was a significant difference in the rate of change in HbA1c levels by DKA status: HbA1c was 0.16% higher each year in youth with DKA compared to those without (interaction P-value<0.0001), after adjusting for aforementioned covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

DKA at T1D diagnosis is associated with worsening glycemic control over time, independent of demographic, socioeconomic, and treatment-related factors and baseline fasting C-peptide.

An improved clinical model to predict stimulated C-peptide in children with recent-onset type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Stimulated C-peptide measurement after a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) is the accepted gold standard for assessing residual beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes (T1D); however, this approach is impractical outside of clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an improved estimate of residual beta-cell function in children with T1D using commonly measured clinical variables.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A clinical model to predict 90-minute MMTT stimulated C-peptide in children with recent-onset T1D was developed from the combined AbATE, START, and TIDAL placebo subjects (n = 46) 6 months post-recruitment using multiple linear regression. This model was then validated in a clinical cohort (Hvidoere study group, n = 262).

RESULTS

A model of estimated C-peptide at 6 months post-diagnosis, which included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and insulin dose predicted 90-minute stimulated C-peptide measurements (adjusted R²  = 0.63, P < 0.0001). The predictive value of insulin dose and HbA1c alone (IDAA1c) for 90-minute stimulated C-peptide was significantly lower (R^{2 =} 0.37, P < 0.0001). The slopes of linear regression lines of the estimated and stimulated 90-minute C-peptide levels obtained at 6 and 12 months post diagnosis in the Hvidoere clinical cohort were R²  = 0.36, P < 0.0001 at 6 months and R²  = 0.37, P < 0.0001 at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

A clinical model including age, gender, BMI, HbA1c, and insulin dose predicts stimulated C-peptide levels in children with recent-onset T1D. Estimated C-peptide is an improved surrogate to monitor residual beta-cell function outside clinical trial settings.

Cell type-specific immune phenotypes predict loss of insulin secretion in new-onset type 1 diabetes

The rate of decline in insulin secretion after diagnosis with type 1 diabetes (T1D) varies substantially among individuals and with age at diagnosis, but the mechanism(s) behind this heterogeneity are not well understood. We investigated the loss of pancreatic β cell function in new-onset T1D subjects using unbiased whole blood RNA-seq and verified key findings by targeted cell count measurements. We found that patients who lost insulin secretion more rapidly had immune phenotypes ("immunotypes") characterized by higher levels of B cells and lower levels of neutrophils, especially neutrophils expressing primary granule genes. The B cell and neutrophil immunotypes showed strong age dependence, with B cell levels in particular predicting rate of progression in young subjects only. This age relationship suggested that therapy targeting B cells in T1D would be most effective in young subjects with high pretreatment B cell levels, a prediction which was supported by data from a clinical trial of rituximab in new-onset subjects. These findings demonstrate a link between age-related immunotypes and disease outcome in new-onset T1D. Furthermore, our data suggest that greater success could be achieved by targeted use of immunomodulatory therapy in specific T1D populations defined by age and immune characteristics.

Plasma lipid species at type 1 diabetes onset predict residual beta-cell function after 6 months

INTRODUCTION

The identification of metabolomic dysregulation appears promising for the prediction of type 1 diabetes and may also reveal metabolic pathways leading to beta-cell destruction. Recent studies indicate that regulation of multiple phospholipids precede the presence of autoantigens in the development of type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesize that lipid biomarkers in plasma from children with recent onset type 1 diabetes will reflect their remaining beta-cell function and predict future changes in beta-cell function.

METHODS

We performed targeted lipidomic profiling by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry to acquire comparative measures of 354 lipid species covering 25 lipid classes and subclasses in plasma samples from 123 patients < 17 years of age followed prospectively at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. Lipidomic profiles were analysed using liner regression to investigate the relationship between plasma lipids and meal stimulated C-peptide levels at each time point. P-values were corrected for multiple comparisons by the method of Benjamini and Hochberg.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis showed that the relative levels of cholesteryl ester, diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol at 1 month were associated to the change in c-peptide levels from 1 to 6 months (corrected p-values of 4.06E-03, 1.72E-02 and 1.72E02, respectively). Medium chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were the major constituents of the di- and triacylglycerol species suggesting a link with increased lipogenesis.

CONCLUSION

These observations support the hypothesis of lipid disturbances as explanatory factors for residual beta-cell function in children with new onset type 1 diabetes.

Predictors of changing insulin dose requirements and glycaemic control in children, adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To investigate trajectories of daily insulin dose requirements and glycaemic control in children, adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes and to identify factors associated with changing insulin needs and deterioration in HbA_1c .

METHODS

The sample was a dynamic cohort of 635 children, adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes from one centre. Data from clinic visits occurring over 20 years (1993-2013) were extracted from medical records. From age 7-24 years, we evaluated HbA_1c and insulin dose according to sex, insulin regimen and weight status.

RESULTS

Participants provided a mean ± sd of 10.7±4.3 years of insulin dose data and 12.0±4.6 years of HbA_1c data. At first observation, the mean ± sd age was 10.0±2.6 years, diabetes duration was 2.8±2.1 years, insulin dose was 0.8±0.2 units/kg and HbA_1c was 74±18 mmol/mol (8.9±1.6%). Insulin dose was higher in girls at ages 8-13 years (P<0.0001 to P<0.01), but higher in boys/young men at ages 16-21 years (P<0.0001 to P=0.04). HbA_1c was higher in girls/young women at ages 16-24 years (P<0.0001 to P=0.01). Compared with injection therapy, pump therapy was associated with lower insulin dose at ages 8-24 years (P<0.0001 to P=0.03) and lower HbA_1c at ages 8-22 years (P<0.0001 to P=0.005). HbA_1c did not differ between overweight/obese and normal weight individuals, but overweight/obese individuals had higher insulin dose at ages 8-13 years (P<0.0001 to P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This longitudinal assessment identifies clinically meaningful modifiable (e.g. insulin regimen) and non-modifiable (e.g. sex) factors predictive of insulin requirements and HbA_1c levels in young people with Type 1 diabetes; anticipatory insulin adjustments may improve glycaemic control.

Remission Phase in Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes: New Understanding and Emerging Biomarkers

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease of unknown aetiology that results from the autoimmune destruction of the β-cells. Clinical onset with classic hyperglycaemic symptoms occurs much more frequently in children and young adults, when less than 30% of β-cells remain. Exogenous insulin administration is the only treatment for patients. However, due to glucose dysregulation, severe complications develop gradually. Recently, an increase in T1D incidence has been reported worldwide, especially in children. Shortly after diagnosis, T1D patients often experience partial remission called "honeymoon phase," which lasts a few months, with minor requirements of exogenous insulin. In this stage, the remaining β-cells are still able to produce enough insulin to reduce the administration of exogenous insulin. A recovery of immunological tolerance to β-cell autoantigens could explain the regeneration attempt in this remission phase. This mini-review focuses on the remission phase in childhood T1D. Understanding this period and finding those peripheral biomarkers that are signs of immunoregulation or islet regeneration could contribute to the identification of patients with a better glycaemic prognosis and a lower risk of secondary complications. This remission phase could be a good checkpoint for the administration of future immunotherapies.

Exploring C-peptide loss in type 1 diabetes using growth curve analysis

OBJECTIVES

C-peptide (CP) loss in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is highly variable, and factors influencing it are poorly understood. We modelled CP values in T1D patients from diagnosis for up to 6 years, treating the serial data as growth curves plotted against time since diagnosis. The aims were to summarise the pattern of CP loss (i.e. growth curve shape) in individual patients in simple terms, and to identify baseline characteristics that predict this pattern in individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1976 and 2011, 442 T1D patients initially aged <18y underwent 120-minute mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTT) to calculate area under the curve (AUC) CP, at 3, 9, 18, 30, 48 and 72 months after diagnosis (n = 1537). The data were analysed using the novel SITAR mixed effects growth curve model (SuperImposition by Translation And Rotation). It fits a mean AUC growth curve, but also allows the curve's mean level and rate of fall to vary between individuals so as to best fit the individual patient curves. These curve adjustments define individual curve shape.

RESULTS

The square root (√) AUC scale provided the best fit. The mean levels and rates of fall for individuals were normally distributed and uncorrelated with each other. Age at diagnosis and √AUC at 3 months strongly predicted the patient-specific mean levels, while younger age at diagnosis (p<0.0001) and the 120-minute CP value of the 3-month MMTT (p = 0.002) predicted the patient-specific rates of fall.

CONCLUSIONS

SITAR growth curve analysis is a useful tool to assess CP loss in type 1 diabetes, explaining patient differences in terms of their mean level and rate of fall. A definition of rapid CP loss could be based on a quantile of the rate of fall distribution, allowing better understanding of factors determining CP loss and stratification of patients into targeted therapies.

Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth With Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Have Poor Prognostic Factors

OBJECTIVE

To compare races/ethnicities for characteristics, at type 1 diabetes diagnosis and during the first 3 years postdiagnosis, known to influence long-term health outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed 927 Pediatric Diabetes Consortium (PDC) participants <19 years old (631 non-Hispanic white [NHW], 216 Hispanic, and 80 African American [AA]) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and followed for a median of 3.0 years (interquartile range 2.2-3.6). Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records and patient/parent interviews. Partial remission period or "honeymoon" was defined as insulin dose-adjusted hemoglobin A_1c (IDAA1c) ≤9.0%. We used logistic, linear, and multinomial regression models, as well as repeated-measures logistic and linear regression models. Models were adjusted for known confounders.

RESULTS

AA subjects, compared with NHW, at diagnosis, were in a higher age- and sex-adjusted BMI percentile (BMI%), had more advanced pubertal development, and had higher frequency of presentation in diabetic ketoacidosis, largely explained by socioeconomic factors. During the first 3 years, AA subjects were more likely to have hypertension and severe hypoglycemia events; had trajectories with higher hemoglobin A_1c, BMI%, insulin doses, and IDAA1c; and were less likely to enter the partial remission period. Hispanics, compared with NHWs, had higher BMI% at diagnosis and over the three subsequent years. During the 3 years postdiagnosis, Hispanics had higher prevalence of dyslipidemia and maintained trajectories of higher insulin doses and IDAA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth of minority race/ethnicity have increased markers of poor prognosis of type 1 diabetes at diagnosis and 3 years postdiagnosis, possibly contributing to higher risk of long-term diabetes complications compared with NHWs.

Predictors of glycemic control in the first year of diagnosis of childhood onset type 1 diabetes: A systematic review of quantitative evidence

Early glycemic control is associated with reduced future vascular complications risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the predictors of glycemic control within 12 months of diagnosis of childhood onset T1D. Inclusion criteria for the electronic search were: interventional and observational studies that assessed and quantified an association between the predictor and glycemic control within 12 months of diagnosis of childhood onset T1D. A total of 17 915 articles were identified from 6 databases and 20 studies were finally included in the analysis. Harvest plots and narrative synthesis were used to summarize data from intervention (n = 0), prospective/retrospective cohort (n = 15), and cross-sectional (n = 5) studies. Significant predictors of poorer glycemic control 0 to 3 months after diagnosis were older age and female gender. Non-white ethnicity, diabetes autoantibody positivity, measures of deprivation, and non-private health insurance were potential predictors. Predictors of poorer glycemic control 4 to 12 months after diagnosis were: older age, non-white ethnicity, a single parent family, high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels at diagnosis, longer T1D duration, and non-intensive insulin therapy. Potential predictors included: family with health issues, clinical factors, and comorbidities at diagnosis. Most significant predictors of poor glycemic control within 12 months of diagnosis of childhood onset T1D are non-modifiable. These factors need to be recognized and addressed through individualized and multidisciplinary diabetes care. Further research is required to confirm the association of potential predictors with early glycemic control.

Metabolic Characteristics of Recently Diagnosed Adult-Onset Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes often remains undetected. Metabolic features of these patients are insufficiently characterized at present.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

This study compared age- and sex-matched adult (aged 41 to 62 years) humans with recent-onset diabetes: patients positive for antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and/or cytoplasmic islet-cell antigen with an insulin-free period of >6 months [antibody positive/insulin negative (ab+/ins-); previously termed latent autoimmune diabetes of adults], type 1 diabetes [antibody positive/insulin positive (ab+/ins+)], and type 2 diabetes [antibody negative/insulin negative (ab-/ins-)], as well as glucose-tolerant humans (controls) of the German Diabetes Study (n = 41/group). β-Cell function was assessed from glucagon tests and intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs), and insulin sensitivity was determined from hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps.

RESULTS

Of the ab+/ins- patients, 33 (81%) were initially diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. In ab+/ins-, body mass index (BMI) was higher than in ab+/ins+ (27.8 ± 5.3 kg/m2 vs 25.0 ± 3.5 kg/m2, P < 0.05), lower than in ab-/ins- (31.9 ± 5.8 kg/m2, P < 0.05), and similar to controls (29.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2). In ab+/ins-, GAD antibody titers correlated negatively with BMI (r = -0.40, P < 0.05) and with C-peptide secretion in glucagon stimulation tests (r = -0.33, P < 0.05). β-Cell function from IVGTT was 228% higher in ab+/ins- than in ab+/ins+ but 35% lower than in ab-/ins- and 61% lower than in controls (all P < 0.05). Insulin sensitivity in ab+/ins- was comparable to ab+/ins+ and controls but 41% higher than in ab-/ins- (P < 0.05) after adjustment for BMI and fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c.

CONCLUSION

Even shortly after diagnosis, ab+/ins- patients feature partly preserved β-cell function and chronic hyperglycemia, which possibly contributes to the observed impairment of whole-body insulin sensitivity.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Severity at Diagnosis and Glycaemic Control in the First Year of Childhood Onset Type 1 Diabetes-A Longitudinal Cohort Study

It is unclear whether diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) severity at diagnosis affects the natural history of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We analysed associations between DKA severity at diagnosis and glycaemic control during the first year post-diagnosis. We followed 341 children with T1D, <19 years (64% non-white) attending paediatric diabetes clinics in East London. Data were extracted from routine medical registers. Subjects were categorized with normal, mild, moderate, or severe DKA. Linear mixed-effects modelling was used to assess differences in longitudinal HbA1_c trajectories (glycaemic control) during 12 months post-diagnosis (1288 HbA1_c data-points) based on DKA, adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, SES (Socioeconomic Status) and treatment type. Females (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4) and younger age, 0–6 vs. 13–18 years (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.6) had increased risk for DKA at diagnosis. Moderate or severe DKA was associated with higher HbA1_c at diagnosis (adjusted estimates 8 mmol/mol, 2–14, and 10 mmol/mol, 4–15, respectively, compared to normal DKA). Differences in HbA1_c trajectories by DKA were no longer apparent at six months post-diagnosis. All subjects experienced a steep decrease in HbA1_c during the first three months followed by a gradual increase. While, DKA severity was not associated with glycaemic control at 12 months post-diagnosis, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, gender, and treatment type were significantly associated. For example, Black and mixed ethnicity children had increased risk for poor glycaemic control compared to White children (adjusted RRR 5.4, 95% CI 1.7–17.3 and RRR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–6.0, respectively). DKA severity at diagnosis is associated with higher initial HbA1_c but not glycaemic control from six months post-diagnosis. Age at diagnosis, ethnicity, gender, and insulin pump are associated with glycaemic control at one year post-diagnosis.

Circulating microRNA levels predict residual beta cell function and glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to identify circulating microRNA (miRNA) that predicts clinical progression in a cohort of 123 children with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Plasma samples were prospectively obtained at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 60 months after diagnosis from a subset of 40 children from the Danish Remission Phase Cohort, and profiled for miRNAs. At the same time points, meal-stimulated C-peptide and HbA_1c levels were measured and insulin-dose adjusted HbA_1c (IDAA_1c) calculated. miRNAs that at 3 months after diagnosis predicted residual beta cell function and glycaemic control in this subgroup were further validated in the remaining cohort (n = 83). Statistical analysis of miRNA prediction for disease progression was performed by multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS

In the discovery analysis, six miRNAs (hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-194-5p, hsa-miR-197-3p, hsa-miR-301a-3p and hsa-miR-375) at 3 months correlated with residual beta cell function 6-12 months after diagnosis. Stimulated C-peptide at 12 months was predicted by hsa-miR-197-3p at 3 months (p = 0.034). A doubling of this miRNA level corresponded to a sixfold higher stimulated C-peptide level. In addition, a doubling of hsa-miR-24-3p and hsa-miR-146a-5p levels at 3 months corresponded to a 4.2% (p < 0.014) and 3.5% (p < 0.022) lower IDAA_1c value at 12 months. Analysis of the remaining cohort confirmed the initial finding for hsa-miR-197-3p (p = 0.018). The target genes for the six miRNAs revealed significant enrichment for pathways related to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor and angiogenesis pathways.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The miRNA hsa-miR-197-3p at 3 months was the strongest predictor of residual beta cell function 1 year after diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Ethnic differences in early glycemic control in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes

Some ethnic minorities with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have worse glycemic control (higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1_c)) and increased risk for vascular complications. There is limited evidence on the impact of ethnicity on early glycemic control when most patients experience transient remission postdiagnosis. We examined associations between ethnicity and longitudinal HbA1_c trajectories during the first 6 months postdiagnosis in a multiethnic cohort in East London.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data on 443 (50% female) children <19 years of age, with T1D and attending one of three clinics in East London between January 2005 and December 2015 were included. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to assess ethnic differences in longitudinal HbA1_c trajectories during the first 6 months postdiagnosis (1,028 HbA1_c data points), adjusting for sex, age at diagnosis, socioeconomic status and pH at diagnosis. Growth curve modeling was used to plot discrete HbA1_c trajectories by ethnicity.

RESULTS

Longitudinal modeling revealed that all ethnic minorities had higher mean HbA1_c at diagnosis compared with White children and highest in Bangladeshi (9.7 mmol/mol, 95% CI 5.1 to 14.3), Asian-Other (5.8 mmol/mol, 95% CI 2.2 to 9.3) and Somali (5.2 mmol/mol, 95% CI 0.1 to 10.2) children, and these differences persisted over the 6-month period after diagnosis. During the first month, HbA1_c decreased on average by 19.6 mmol/mol (95% CI -21 to -18) for all children. Population averaged HbA1_c decreased between diagnosis and 4 months, followed by a gradual increase in HbA1_c levels (mean difference of -30 mmol/mol between diagnosis and 6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnic minorities present with higher HbA1_c at diagnosis, with the largest mean differences observed in Bangladeshi, Asian-Other and Somali children. These higher levels (indicating poorer glycemic control) track into the first 6 months postdiagnosis.