Thank you to Diabetesforeningen for a 4-page article highlighting our efforts to identify early-stage type 1 diabetes. This kind of visibility is crucial for reaching those who can benefit from early screening and awareness!
What’s it about?
Led by Professor Flemming Pociot at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, the Danish part of the DiaUnion project is screening individuals under 40 who have a close family member (child, sibling, or parent) with type 1 diabetes. A simple home blood test can detect autoantibodies that signal early immune activity – sometimes years before symptoms appear. In Sweden the DiaUnion screening of children aged 2-14 is led by Lund University.
Why does it matter?
Catching type 1 diabetes before symptoms arise opens the door to earlier support, a more gentle disease onset, and – in the near future – treatments that may delay or even prevent diagnosis. While current treatments to delay onset are only approved in the U.S., they’re on the horizon in Europe. Our research ensures we’ll be ready when they arrive!
The article also reflects on the emotional and ethical considerations of knowing if you are at risk for a disease you don’t yet feel – and how DiaUnion supports participants every step of the way.
If you’re living in Denmark, under 40, and have a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes, you can take part. Learn more about participating in Denmark or about the parallel recruitment program in Sweden.
