Early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes [Frühdiagnostik bei Typ-1-Diabetes]

Type 1 diabetes is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that is caused by selective destruction of the insulin-producing beta-cells. Depending on the individual stage of the pathogenesis, there are various diagnostic tools available for early diagnosis of (pre-) type 1 diabetes. Children with an increased diabetes risk can be identified prior to the appearance of islet autoimmunity by family history for type 1 diabetes and genetic screening. In non-diabetic individuals who have already developed islet autoimmunity, progression to diabetes onset can be assessed by measuring islet autoantibodies. Metabolic stimulation tests can provide additional information on the timing of the impending disease in autoantibody-positive subjects. In newly diagnosed diabetic patients, the detection of islet autoantibodies is an important criterion for differential diagnosis that allows distinction between autoimmune (type 1) and non-autoimmune diabetes. © 2007 Springer Medizin Verlag.