Boys are at higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes than girls after childhood
MedicalResearch.com Interview:
Professor Oram
Professor Richard Oram PhD
Associate Professor Harry Keane, Diabetes UK
Biomedical Clinical Science Institute
NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility
University of Exeter
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background to this study?
response: In contrast to most autoimmune diseases, males are a risk factor for type 1 diabetes (T1D). This raises the hypothesis that immune, metabolic, or other differences between the sexes may affect the risk or progression stage of T1D. However, understanding this mechanism may inform future interventions and risk stratification for individuals at risk for T1D.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the key findings?
response: Our main findings are that in the presence of a single autoantibody, men are at significantly higher risk for type 1 diabetes than women. The childhood risk is similar for both sexes, but the risks diverge at age 10 years. The risk for women decreases dramatically at age 10 years, whereas the risk for men persists beyond age 10 years.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
response: Investigating the interactions of risk factors for T1D may provide further understanding of the mechanisms of progression to T1D. At age 10 years, there is a steep decline in risk in females compared to males, raising the question of whether factors and hormones related to puberty and menarche play a role in this relative difference in risk of type 1 diabetes.
MedicalResearch.com: Given the results of this study, what recommendations do you have for future research?
response: Further mechanistic studies on the importance of age- and puberty-related changes in the immune system and beta cells may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying this difference.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
response: We thank TrialNet for providing access to the data and the NIH and Randox for providing funding related to this study.
Source: EASD 2024, Abstract 34
Changes in risk of type 1 diabetes in men and women from age 10 onwards
E. L. Templeman, L. Ferrat, E. Rideout, N., N. Thomas, L. Allen, M. Redondo, C. Evans-Molina, J. Sosenko, R. Oram, and E. Sims.
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Last updated: August 2, 2024 Marie Benz MD FAAD