[Genetic and immunologic risks for development of type 1 diabetes--experiences from an intervention trial].
BACKGROUND
Type 1 diabetes is a common multi-factorial disease. Recently, promising attempts have been made at preventing the disease in individuals at risk. We present our experiences as participants in an international multicentre intervention trial, the European Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial (ENDIT). The aim is to prevent prediabetic individuals from becoming overtly diabetic by the use of nicotinamide.


METHODS
First degree relatives of type 1 diabetes children attending paediatric clinics in Norway were recruited. The level of islet cell antibodies (ICA) was determined. Individuals with ICA titer above 20 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Units (JDFU) were allocated to treatment with nicotinamide or placebo in a double-blind design. In the Norwegian patients in the trial HLA-DQ genotypes were also determined.


RESULTS
56 individuals had ICA > 20 JDFU; 36 agreed to participate in the trial. Assessment of genetic and immunological risk did not seem to emotionally upset the majority of participants; so far, no serious adverse events have been observed. The final results of this trial are expected in year 2003.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of type 1 diabetes may be feasible in the future.
Undlien
D E
DE
Immunologisk institutt, Rikshospitalet, Oslo. d.e.undlien@rh.uio.no
Joner
G
G
Dahl-Jørgensen
K
K
Rønningen
K S
KS
Nicol-Smith
L
L
Torjesen
P A
PA
Søvik
O
O
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors
D005819:Genetic Markers; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D009536:Niacinamide