One of the major challenges of type 1 diabetes is effectively managing blood glucose levels. It is a careful balancing act and differs for every patient. With type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells. This means that patients require regular insulin injections to compensate. However, this is not a perfect solution and patients may still experience complications or side effects and need to be carefully monitored.
Researchers found that after children are initially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and begin treatment, some experience partial clinical remission (PCR), also known as a “honeymoon period.” During this period, the pancreas is still producing some insulin on its own, and this can temporarily restore blood glucose levels to near normal. This means that patients require fewer or lower doses of insulin. The honeymoon period may last from three months to one year.
But not all children experience this effect. Those who do not are at a higher risk of developing diabetes-related complications. This makes it even more important for physicians to determine whether or not children go into partial clinical remission so they can develop a more effective treatment plan moving forward.
Traditionally partial clinical remission is determined by calculating daily insulin doses and average blood glucose levels and then analyzing the correlation (known as IDAA1C). This can take some time, and when faced with tight time schedules, physicians may not use this method as often as recommended.
In light of this, UMass Medical School physician-scientist Benjamin Nwosu, MD, began studying the accuracy of a simpler method. This approach involves evaluating the total daily dose of insulin the child receives compared to their body weight. If they receive less than 0.3 units per kilogram of body weight per day, it indicates they are in partial clinical remission. There were no major differences in results between using this method and the more complex IDAA1C technique. It is a faster way for clinicians to determine the same results and is just as reliable.
According to Dr. Nwosu, “Encouraging clinicians to use the total daily dose of insulin guideline will improve monitoring of PCR and, therefore, ensure the prevention of early hyperglycemia in patients who exceed it for better long-term outcomes.”
It is encouraging to see an emphasis on early detection and more effective treatment for type 1 diabetes. The Diabetes Research Connection raises funds for early career scientists who are pursuing novel research projects related to the prevention and cure of type 1 diabetes as well as improving quality of life for those living with the disease. One hundred percent of research funds go directly to scientists. Click to learn more about current projects and provide support.