Type 1 Diabetes
An incurable autoimmune disease that destroys the body’s vital insulin-producing cells.
DiaUnion aims to prevent and, ultimately, cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), and novel drugs under development have the potential to delay the clinical onset of the disease. It often takes years before symptoms of the disease appear, and the earlier the intervention, the greater the chance of halting its progression.
DiaUnion facilitates early detection of Danish children, siblings and parents of individuals with T1D to assess their own risk of developing the disease. In the south of Sweden the general population is offered the same screening. This significantly reduces the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious comorbidity of T1D, before diagnosis and have a long lasting positive effect on the glucose control after diagnosis. In addition, it helps prepare persons in early stages of T1D, before symptoms occur, and their families for a life with the disease.
In the near future, DiaUnion hopes to be able to offer persons in early stages of T1D preventive treatments that will delay the clinical onset of the disease.
In both countries, the early detection program also identifies the risk of related autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and thyroid disease, which is an inflammation of the thyroid gland causing hypothyroidism.
The hallmark of these autoimmune diseases is that the body produces antibodies against itself. Autoimmunity is somewhat hereditary, although one does not necessarily inherit the disease itself, but rather the predisposition to develop an autoimmune condition.
About Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system mistakenly destroys its insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is essential for enabling glucose, a vital nutrient, to enter the body’s cells.
The disease occurs randomly, often during childhood or adolescence, and unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not lifestyle-related and cannot be cured or prevented through healthier living.
The initial symptoms of T1D may be nonspecific or be confused with symptoms of other diseases, and there is a risk that the disease will be misdiagnosed or overlooked in the beginning. The typical symptoms, which may occur individually, are:
For most people, the onset of type 1 diabetes occurs suddenly, often resulting in a trip to the emergency room to start insulin treatment and to observe for development diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), due to a long period with high blood sugar.
Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
However, the start of the disease occurs at a much earlier time when the immune system is activated and begins the attack on the beta cells. The cause of the autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, but there are many indications that the combination of genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger, such as a viral infection can initiate the immune activation. Thus, first-degree relatives are 15 times more likely to develop type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Activation of the immune system leads to the development of a single autoantibody, and over time, more can develop. Almost all who develop two or more diabetes related autoantibodies (stages 1 and 2) are diagnosed with T1D at some point (stage 3). The symptoms usually do not appear until stage 3 has been reached.
About Celiac Disease
Around 2% of the Swedish population and 1% of the Danish population is affected by celiac disease and in both countries, there is still a significant number of undiagnosed cases (Swedish and Danish celiac associations).
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune condition triggered by gluten – a protein primarily found in wheat, rye, and barley. For this reason, celiac disease is also referred to as gluten intolerance or gluten allergy.
When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten, it can cause an inflammatory reaction that damages the tiny villi in the small intestine. This reduces the intestine’s ability to absorb essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals from food.
The symptoms of celiac disease are often unclear and can be mistaken for symptoms of other conditions. Untreated celiac disease can lead to a wide range of symptoms affecting the digestive system and other parts of the body.
Severe consequences of untreated celiac disease may include anemia, osteoporosis, fertility problems, and an increased risk of cancer, especially lymphoma.
About Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s)
This is an autoimmune condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The inflammation makes the body produce antibodies that destroy the thyroid, either partially or completely.
The disease, which results in hypothyroidism, is also known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, named after the Japanese physician who first described the condition in 1912.
If there is a history of autoimmune diseases in the family, the risk of developing thyroid disease is higher, and women are more commonly affected than men.
For further information, please visit Hashimoto – Stofskifteforeningen(DK) and Sköldkörtelförbundet (SE).
