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J Bolinder

Publications and source records attributed to J Bolinder.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lower levels of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D among young adults at diagnosis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes compared with control subjects: results from the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS).

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Low plasma vitamin D concentrations may promote the development of type 1 diabetes. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in young adults with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS) covers 15- to 34-year-old people with newly diagnosed diabetes. Blood samples at diagnosis were collected during the 2-year period 1987/1988. Patients with islet antibodies (islet cell antibodies, GAD antibodies or tyrosine phosphatase-like protein antibodies) were defined as having autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Plasma 25OHD was measured in samples taken from 459 patients at the time of diagnosis, and in 138 of these subjects 8 years later. The results were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (n=208). RESULTS: At diagnosis, plasma 25OHD levels were significantly lower in patients with type 1 diabetes than in control subjects (82.5+/-1.3 vs 96.7+/-2.0 nmol/l; p<0.0001). Eight years later, plasma 25OHD had decreased in patients (81.5+/-2.6 nmol/l; p=0.04). Plasma 25OHD levels were significantly lower in diabetic men than in diabetic women at diagnosis (77.9+/-1.4 vs 90.1+/-2.4 nmol/l; p<0.0001) and at follow-up (77.1+/-2.8 nmol/l vs 87.2+/-4.5 nmol/l; p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The plasma 25OHD level was lower at diagnosis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes than in control subjects, and may have a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Plasma 25OHD levels were lower in men than in women with type 1 diabetes. This difference may be relevant to the high incidence of type 1 diabetes among young adult men.

Adolescent↗

HLA-DQB1 genotypes, islet antibodies and beta cell function in the classification of recent-onset diabetes among young adults in the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The World Health Organization considers an aetiological classification of diabetes to be essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether HLA-DQB1 genotypes facilitate the classification of diabetes as compared with assessment of islet antibodies by investigating young adult diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were available at diagnosis for 1,872 (90%) of the 2,077 young adult patients (aged 15-34 years old) over a 5-year period in the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden. Islet antibodies were measured at diagnosis in 1,869 patients, fasting plasma C-peptide (fpC-peptide) after diagnosis in 1,522, while HLA-DQB1 genotypes were determined in 1,743. RESULTS: Islet antibodies were found in 83% of patients clinically considered to have type 1 diabetes, 23% with type 2 diabetes and 45% with unclassifiable diabetes. After diagnosis, median fpC-peptide concentrations were markedly lower in patients with islet antibodies than in those without (0.24 vs 0.69 nmol/l, p<0.0001). Irrespective of clinical classification, patients with islet antibodies showed increased frequencies of at least one of the risk-associated HLA-DQB1 genotypes compared with patients without. Antibody-negative patients with risk-associated HLA-DQB1 genotypes had significantly lower median fpC-peptide concentrations than those without risk-associated genotypes (0.51 vs 0.74 nmol/l, p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Assessment of islet antibodies is necessary for the aetiological classification of diabetic patients. HLA-DQB1 genotyping does not improve the classification in patients with islet antibodies. However, in patients without islet antibodies, HLA-DQB1 genotyping together with C-peptide measurement may be of value in differentiating between idiopathic type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent↗

Excess mortality in incident cases of diabetes mellitus aged 15 to 34 years at diagnosis: a population-based study (DISS) in Sweden.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to analyse the mortality, survival and cause of death patterns in incident cases of diabetes in the 15-34-year age group that were reported to the nationwide prospective Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the study period 1983-1999, 6,771 incident cases were reported. Identification of deaths was made by linking the records to the nationwide Cause of Death Register. RESULTS: With an average follow-up of 8.5 years, resulting in 59,231 person-years, 159 deaths were identified. Diabetes was reported as the underlying cause of death in 51 patients (32%), and as a contributing cause of death in another 42 patients (26%). The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly elevated (RR=2.4; 95% CI: 2.0-2.8). The SMR was higher for patients classified by the reporting physician as having type 2 diabetes at diagnosis than for those classified as type 1 diabetic (2.9 and 1.8, respectively). Survival analysis showed significant differences in survival curves between males and females (p=0.0003) as well as between cases with different types of diabetes (p=0.005). This pattern was also reflected in the Cox regression model showing significantly increased hazard for males vs females (p=0.0002), and for type 2 vs type 1 (p=0.015) when controlling for age. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This study shows a two-fold excess mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes and a three-fold excess mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, despite advances in treatment, diabetes still carries an increased mortality in young adults, even in a country with a good economic and educational patient status and easy access to health care.

Adolescent↗

Major differences in noradrenaline action on lipolysis and blood flow rates in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in vivo.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The regulation of skeletal muscle lipolysis is not fully understood. In the present study, the effects of systemic and local noradrenaline administration on lipolysis and blood flow rates in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were studied in vivo. METHODS: First, circulating noradrenaline levels were raised tenfold by a continuous i.v. infusion (n=12). Glycerol levels (an index of lipolysis) were measured in m. gastrocnemius and in abdominal adipose tissue using microdialysis. Local blood flow was determined with the (133)Xe clearance technique and whole-body lipolysis rates assessed with a stable glycerol isotope technique ([(2)H(5)] glycerol). Second, interstitial glycerol levels in m. gastrocnemius, m. vastus and adipose tissue were measured by microdialysis during local perfusion with noradrenaline (10(-8)-10(-6) mol/l) (n=10). Local blood flow was monitored with the ethanol perfusion technique. RESULTS: With regard to systemic noradrenergic stimulation, no change in fractional release of glycerol (difference between tissue and arterial glycerol) was seen in skeletal muscle. In adipose tissue it transiently increased twofold (p<0.0001), and the rate of appearance of glycerol in plasma showed the same kinetic pattern. Blood flow was reduced by 40% in skeletal muscle (p<0.005) and increased by 50% in adipose tissue (p<0.05). After noradrenaline stimulation in situ, a discrete elevation of skeletal muscle glycerol was registered only at the highest concentration of noradrenaline (10(-6) mol/l) (p<0.05). Adipose tissue glycerol doubled already at the lowest concentration (10(-8) mol/l) (p<0.05). In skeletal muscle a decrease in blood flow was seen at the highest noradrenaline concentrations (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Lipolysis and blood flow rates are regulated differently in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Adipose tissue displays a high, but transient (tachyphylaxia) sensitivity to noradrenaline, leading to stimulation of both lipolysis and blood flow rates. In skeletal muscle, physiological concentrations of noradrenaline decrease blood flow but have no stimulatory effect on lipolysis rates.

Adipose Tissue↗

Hyperproinsulinemia segregates young adult patients with newly diagnosed autoimmune (type 1) and non-autoimmune (type 2) diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether measurements of proinsulin and/or intermediate proinsulin degradation products could be used to differentiate between autoimmune (type 1) and non-autoimmune (type 2) diabetes in young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total proinsulin, intact proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations were measured in 25 patients aged 15-34 years with type 1 diabetes, as defined by the presence of at least two positive islet autoantibodies, and in 23 antibody-negative patients of similar age with type 2 diabetes, at the time of clinical onset of diabetes and at 3-4 months thereafter. Comparisons were made with data from 25 healthy subjects matched for gender and age. RESULTS: Plasma levels of total proinsulin, intact proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin were significantly increased 2-3-fold in the patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes as compared with the controls, both in absolute terms (p<0.0001) and when related to circulating insulin (p<0.01-0.0002). In contrast, absolute proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with onset of type 1 diabetes than in controls. When proinsulin and split proinsulin release were related to plasma insulin, however, similar ratios were found in the type 1 diabetes patients and in controls. Using the 90th percentile for total proinsulin in the control group as the cut-off, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiation between autoimmune and non-autoimmune diabetes were 87% and 92%, respectively. At 3-4 months after clinical onset of diabetes, proinsulin secretion was still 2-3 times higher in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Young adult patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes display disproportionate hyperproinsulinemia, whereas proinsulin secretion appears to be normal in patients with clinical onset of type 1 diabetes. Evaluation of proinsulin and 32,33 split proinsulin concentrations may be useful as a diagnostic tool in differentiating between autoimmune and non-autoimmune diabetes in young adults, particularly in those lacking islet autoantibodies at diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Islet antibodies and remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis of diabetes in young adults: a prospective follow-up of the nationwide Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis of diabetes in young adults and relate the findings to islet antibodies at diagnosis and 8 years later. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Nationwide from all Departments of Medicine and Endocrinology in Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 312 young (15-34 years old) adults diagnosed with diabetes during 1987-88. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Plasma connecting peptide (C-peptide) 8 years after diagnosis. Preserved beta-cell function was defined as measurable C-peptide levels. Three islet antibodies - cytoplasmic islet cell antibodies (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and tyrosine phosphatase antibodies - were measured. RESULTS: Amongst 269 islet antibody positives (ab+) at diagnosis, preserved beta-cell function was found in 16% (42/269) 8 years later and these patients had a higher body mass index (median 22.7 and 20.5 kg m-2, respectively; P = 0.0003), an increased frequency of one islet antibody (50 and 24%, respectively; P = 0.001), and a lower prevalence of ICA (55 and 6%, respectively; P = 0.007) at diagnosis compared with ab+ without remaining beta-cell function. Amongst the 241 patients without detectable beta-cell function at follow-up, 14 lacked islet antibodies, both at diagnosis and at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen per cent of patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes had remaining beta-cell function 8 years after diagnosis whereas 5.8% with beta-cell failure lacked islet autoimmunity, both at diagnosis and at follow-up.

Adolescent↗

Normal weight promotes remission and low number of islet antibodies prolong the duration of remission in Type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To identify clinical, immunological and biochemical factors that predict remission, and its duration in a large cohort of young adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: In Sweden, 362 patients (15-34 years), classified as Type 1 DM were included in a prospective, nation-wide population-based study. All patients were followed at local hospitals for examination of HbA(1c) and insulin dosage over a median period after diagnosis of 5 years. Duration of remission, defined as an insulin maintenance dose </= 0.3 U/kg/24 h and HbA(1c) within the normal range, was analysed in relation to characteristics at diagnosis. RESULTS: Remissions were seen in 43% of the patients with a median duration of 8 months (range 1-73). Sixteen per cent had a remission with a duration > 12 months. Among patients with antibodies (ab(+)), bivariate analysis suggested that adult age, absence of low BMI, high plasma C-peptide concentrations, lack of ketonuria or ketoacidosis at diagnosis and low insulin dose at discharge from hospital were associated with a high possibility of achieving remission. Multiple regression showed that normal weight (BMI of 20-24.9 kg/m(2)) was the only factor that remained significant for the possibility of entering remission. In survival analysis among ab(+) remitters, a low number of islet antibodies, one or two instead of three or four, were associated with a long duration of remissions. CONCLUSION: In islet antibody-positive Type 1 DM, normal body weight was the strongest factor for entering remission, whilst a low number of islet antibodies was of importance for the duration.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of the new ADA and WHO criteria for classification of diabetes mellitus in young adult people (15-34 yrs) in the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS).

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to evaluate how an aetiology-based classification, as recommended in the ADA and WHO guidelines for classification of diabetes mellitus, matches clinical judgement in the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS), a study covering incident cases of diabetic patients aged 15 to 34 years. METHODS: During a 1-year period (1998), blood samples were taken at diagnosis and 4 months (median) thereafter. Patients were classified according to clinical judgement by the reporting physicians and assessments of islet antibodies (ICA, GADA, and IA-2A) and plasma C-peptide. RESULTS: In 1998, 422 patients were registered in DISS. Among the 313 patients participating in the follow-up, most with clinical Type 1 diabetes (185/218, 85%, 95% CI 79-89%) were islet antibody positive (ab+) at diagnosis. In addition, 14 out of 58 (24%, 14-37%) with clinical Type 2 diabetes and 21 out of 37 (57%, 40-73%) with unclassifiable diabetes were antibody positive at diagnosis. Further to this, 4 out of 33 (12%, 3-28%) were antibody negative with clinical Type 1 diabetes and 4 out of 44 (9%, 3-22%) with Type 2 had converted to antibody positive at follow-up. Among those who were constantly antibody negative, 10 out of 29 (34%, 18-54%) with clinical Type 1 and 1 out of 16 (6%, 0-30%) with unclassifiable diabetes had fasting plasma C-peptide concentrations below the normal range (<0.25 nmol/l) at follow-up. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Most young adults with clinical Type 1 diabetes (199/218, 91%) had objective Type 1 (ab+ at diagnosis/follow-up and/or low fasting plasma C-peptide concentrations at follow-up), as did one third (18/58, 31%) with clinical Type 2 diabetes and more than half (22/37, 59%) with unclassifiable diabetes. About 10% of those who were antibody negative converted to antibody positive. Our study underlines that a classification considering aetiology is superior to clinical judgement.

Adolescent↗

Increasing body mass index at diagnosis of diabetes in young adult people during 1983-1999 in the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS).

OBJECTIVE: To study trends in body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis of diabetes in all young Swedish adults in the age range of 15-34 years registered in a nation-based registry. DESIGN: The BMI was assessed at diagnosis in diabetic patients 15-34 years of age at diagnosis, for a period of 17 years (1983-1999). Islet cell antibodies (ICA) were measured during three periods (1987-1988, 1992-1993 and 1998-1999). SETTING: A nationwide study (Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden). SUBJECTS: A total of 4727 type 1 and 1083 type 2 diabetic patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence-year specific BMI adjusted for age, gender and time of diagnosis (month). RESULTS: Body mass index at diagnosis increased significantly both in type 1 (21.4 +/- 3.6 to 22.5 +/- 4.0; P < 0.0001) and in type 2 (27.4 +/- 6.8 to 32.0 +/- 6.0; P < 0.0001) diabetic patients, also when adjusted for age, gender and month of diagnosis. A similar significant increase in BMI was found in type 1 diabetic patients and in type 2 diabetic patients in the periods 1987-1988, 1992-1993 and 1998-1999; years when ICA were assessed and considered in the classification of diabetes. Despite this increase in BMI, there was no increase in the incidence of diabetes in young-adult people in Sweden. CONCLUSION: Body mass index at diagnosis of diabetes in subjects 15-34 years of age has substantially increased during 1983-1999 in Sweden when adjusted for age, gender and month of diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

The incidence of Type I diabetes has not increased but shifted to a younger age at diagnosis in the 0-34 years group in Sweden 1983-1998.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To analyse the incidence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the 0-34 years age group in Sweden 1983-1998. METHODS: Incidence and cumulative incidence per 100 000 and Poisson regression analysis of age-period effects was carried out using 11 751 cases from two nation-wide prospective registers. RESULTS: Incidence (95%-CI) was 21.4 (20.8-21.9) in men and 17.1 (16.6-17.5) in women between 0 and 34 years of age. In boys aged 0-14 and girls aged 0-12 years the incidence increased over time, but it tended to decrease at older age groups, especially in men. Average cumulative incidence at 35 years was 748 in men and 598 in women. Cumulative incidence in men was rather stable during four 4-year periods (736, 732, 762, 756), while in women it varied more (592, 542, 617, 631). In males aged 0-34 years, the incidence did not vary between the 4-year periods ( p=0.63), but time changes among the 3-year age groups differed ( p<0.001). In females the incidence between the periods varied ( p<0.001), being lower in 1987-1990 compared to 1983-1986, but time changes in the age groups did not differ ( p=0.08). For both sexes median age at diagnosis was higher in 1983-1986 than in 1995-1998 ( p<0.001) (15.0 and 12.5 years in males; 11.9 and 10.4 in females, respectively). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: During a 16-year period the incidence of Type I diabetes did not increase in the 0-34 years age group in Sweden, while median age at diagnosis decreased. A shift to younger age at diagnosis seems to explain the increasing incidence of childhood Type I diabetes.

Adolescent↗

Residual insulin secretion is not coupled to a maintained glucagon response to hypoglycaemia in long-term type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of residual beta-cell function on glucagon secretion and glucose counter-regulation following hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The hormonal counter-regulatory responses to standardized insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were investigated, 18 patients with type 1 diabetes of long duration and 12 healthy subjects were investigated. Nine of the diabetic patients (diabetes duration 17 +/- 1 years) had residual insulin secretion, as reflected by persistent urinary C-peptide excretion. The other nine diabetic patients (diabetes duration 21 +/- 1 years) were C-peptide negative. RESULTS: Similar hypoglycaemic nadirs were found in all groups (2.1-2.3 mmol L-1), whereas the recovery of plasma glucose levels was delayed similarly in the diabetic groups. In the control subjects, plasma glucagon increased ( approximately 50%). No significant glucagon response was registered in either of the two diabetic groups. The maximum plasma adrenaline and pancreatic polypeptides (PP) responses to hypoglycaemia were comparable in the two diabetic patient groups; the peak values being lower (P < 0.05) than in the controls. Plasma noradrenaline, growth hormone and cortisol responses to hypoglycaemia were similar in all three groups. CONCLUSION: Residual beta-cell function in patients with long-term type 1 diabetes is not accompanied by preservation of the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia. As the two markers of autonomic function (adrenaline and PP) were similarly reduced in the two diabetic groups, the findings instead favour the concept that the defective glucagon secretory response to hypoglycaemia is because of autonomic nervous dysfunction.

Adult↗

Action of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36) amide on lipolysis in human subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in vivo.

In vitro and animal studies have shown that glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-(7-36) amide may participate in the regulation of lipolysis. However, results on human subjects in vivo are inconclusive. To avoid confounding effects, such as changes in insulin secretion when perfusing hormones iv, we used the in situ microdialysis to analyze the impact of human glucagon and GLP-1 on lipolysis rates and local blood flow. Nine healthy volunteers were given an 80-min local perfusion of each hormone (10(-6) mol/L), both in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius) and in sc abdominal adipose tissue, after a basal period with perfusion of Ringer's solution. Variations in the lipolysis rate and blood flow, respectively, were assessed by measuring of the dialysate glycerol content and the ethanol ratio (outgoing-to-ingoing ethanol concentration). The in vitro relative recovery of the microdialysis probes was 5.2 +/- 1.2%. No significant effects of either GLP-1 or glucagon on either lipolysis rate or blood flow were detected in muscle or adipose tissue. Isoprenaline (10(-6) mol/L), which was perfused after glucagon or GLP-1 in the same catheters, significantly increased the lipolysis rate (a 249% increase of dialysate glycerol in adipose tissue and a 72% increase in skeletal muscle). Furthermore, isoprenaline, but not glucagon or GLP-1, stimulated lipolysis in vitro in isolated human sc adipose tissue. We conclude that neither glucagon nor GLP-1 affect the lipolysis rate of human sc adipose tissue or skeletal muscle.

Adipose Tissue↗

Evidence for a major role of skeletal muscle lipolysis in the regulation of lipid oxidation during caloric restriction in vivo.

A lipolytic process in skeletal muscle has recently been demonstrated. However, the physiological importance of this process is unknown. We investigated the role of skeletal muscle lipolysis for lipid utilization during caloric restriction in eight obese women before and after 11 days of very low-calorie diet (VLCD) (2.2 MJ per day). Subjects were studied with indirect calorimetry and microdialysis of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in order to analyze substrate utilization and glycerol (lipolysis index) in connection with a two-step euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (12 and 80 mU/m(2). min) clamp. Local blood flow rates in the two tissues were determined with (133)Xe-clearance. Circulating free fatty acids and glycerol decreased to a similar extent during insulin infusion before and during VLCD, and there was a less marked insulin-induced reduction in lipid oxidation during VLCD. Adipose tissue glycerol release was hampered by insulin infusion to the same extent ( approximately 40%) before and during VLCD. Skeletal muscle glycerol release was not influenced by insulin before VLCD. However, during VLCD insulin caused a marked (fivefold) (P < 0.01) increase in skeletal muscle glycerol release. The effect was accompanied by a fourfold stimulation of skeletal muscle blood flow (P < 0.01). We propose that, during short-term caloric restriction, the reduced ability of insulin to inhibit lipids, despite a preserved antilipolytic effect of the hormone in adipose tissue, is caused by an augmented mobilization of fat from skeletal muscle, and that a physiological role of muscle lipolysis provides a local source of fatty acids.

Adipose Tissue↗

Family characteristics and life events before the onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults: a nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether family characteristics and stressful life events were associated with onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This investigation was based on a nationwide study (Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden) of newly diagnosed patients aged 15-34 years. Patients clinically classified as type 1 diabetic with antibodies to islet cells and/or to GAD65 were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects via questionnaire. The questionnaire covered diabetes heredity, social environment, educational level, and life events experienced during the 12 months before diagnosis. RESULTS: The rate of response was 82% for the diabetic patients and 65% for the control subjects. Questionnaires from 349 diabetic patients and 979 control subjects were considered. Diabetes in relatives was more frequent in the patients (odds ratio [OR]2.6) who were born in Sweden and whose mothers were of Swedish origin. No major stress factors were detected in the diabetic patients; however, in comparison with the control subjects, the diabetic patients had experienced fewer conflicts with their parents and had less often broken contacts with friends. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes were more exposed to heredity for diabetes, but no major prediabetic stress factors were detected. Our study does not directly support the concept that psychosocial stressful life events are involved in the development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in young adults.

Adult↗

Combinations of beta cell specific autoantibodies at diagnosis of diabetes in young adults reflects different courses of beta cell damage.

To explore the natural course of beta cell function in recent onset diabetes, a subgroup (n=157) of all incident cases (n=879) 15-34 years old, 1992-1993 in Sweden, and with positivity for at least one autoantibody of islet cell antibodies (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) or tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA-2A) were followed prospectively for the first four years with annual analysis of C-peptide. The aim was to relate the course of beta cell function, measured as C-peptide, in early diabetes with the presence of different islet autoantibodies at diagnosis. We found that patients positive for ICA alone (n=11) had significantly higher C-peptide levels both at diagnosis and during the first three years compared with the other patients (n=146; p=0.022, p<0.001, p=0.004 and p=0.0022). Patients positive for GADA alone or in combination with other antibodies (n=125) had significantly lower C-peptide during the first three years after diagnosis compared with the other patients (n=32, p<0.001, p=0.0011 and p=0.0136). Patients with two or three autoantibodies had C-peptide levels similar to levels found in patients positive only for GADA. However, after four years, there were no significant differences between any of the groups of different autoantibody combinations. At diagnosis, 55% (86/157) of the patients had C-peptide levels above the lower normal range of 0.25 nmol/l, but the frequency of patients with beta cell function above this level decreased after two years to 41% (65/157; p=0.035) and after four years to 22% (35/157; p=0.0041). It is concluded that young adult diabetic patients positive only for ICA at diagnosis have a better preserved beta cell function with higher levels of C-peptide during the first three years compared with patients positive for GADA alone or in combinations with other autoantibodies.

Adolescent↗

Combined pancreas and kidney transplantation improves survival in patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy.

The purpose of this study was to find out whether prolonged normoglycemia, as achieved by a successful pancreas transplantation, can improve survival in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A retrospective analysis of actual 10-yr patient survival rates was done for all renal graft recipients who were given transplants more than 10 yr ago but within the cyclosporin era (i.e. 1981-1988). The actual 10-yr patient survival rate in non-diabetic renal graft recipients was 72%, In recipients of pancreas and kidney grafts and with prolonged function of the pancreas graft, the survival rate was 60%, whereas in patients subjected to simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation, but where the pancreatic grafts failed within 2 yr, the survival rate was 33%. In diabetic recipients of kidney transplants alone, the survival rate was 37%. The patient survival rate was substantially higher in non-diabetic patients and patients with functioning pancreas grafts compared with diabetic patients with kidney transplants alone or with failed pancreas grafts. We speculate that the decrease in mortality was due to the beneficial effect of long-term normoglycemia on diabetic late complications.

Adult↗