Extent of beta cell destruction is important but insufficient to predict the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by an inability to produce insulin endogenously. Based on a series of histopathology studies of patients with recent onset of the disease, it is commonly stated that the onset of clinical symptoms corresponds to an 80-95% reduction in beta cell mass. Motivated by the clinical importance of the degree of beta cell destruction at onset, a meta-analysis was used to determine the validity of this common wisdom.

Methods and findings

The histopathology results identifying insulin containing islets in patients younger than 20 years of age were extracted from three different studies. The results for 105 patients were stratified by duration of diabetic symptoms and age at onset. Linear regression and a non-parametric bootstrap appr

SUBMITTER: Klinke DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2147725 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature