Infections Link With Diabetes

[Guest guest]

Many pre adolescent autistic children now being dx with Type 1 also,

something to think about.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060703165125.htm

Source: University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: July 3, 2006

Infections Link With Diabetes, Suggests Biggest Study Yet

A major study has added weight to the theory that environmental

factors such as common infections may be a trigger for diabetes in

children and young adults.

The study, the biggest of its kind, analysed information from a

register of over 4,000 people aged 0-29 years old diagnosed with

Type 1 diabetes in Yorkshire over a 25-year period. The findings for

young adults have not been published before.

A quarter of a million people in the UK have Type 1 diabetes, and

the number of cases in children is rising by three per cent each

year. It develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin and

usually appears before the age of 40.

The study authors, from Newcastle and Leeds Universities and Leeds

Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, carried out a sophisticated

statistical analysis using information from the register on the

times and places where the children and young adults were diagnosed.

A pattern emerged where `clusters' of cases were found at different

geographical locations and time intervals for 10-19 year olds. There

were six to seven per cent more cases of Type 1 diabetes found in 10-

19 year olds in the clusters than would have been expected by chance.

Females with the condition were more likely to occur in clusters

with seven to 14 per cent more cases than expected found in young

girls and women aged 10-19 years.

This pattern, which experts call `space-time clustering', is typical

of conditions triggered by infections. Conditions caused by more

constant environmental factors produce clusters of cases in one

place over a much longer time period.

The results are published in the academic journal Diabetologia and

should help towards understanding more about the causes of Type 1

diabetes.

It has previously been suggested that infections are linked to the

development of Type 1 diabetes in children who are genetically

susceptible to certain environmental triggers.

Lead study author, Dr McNally, of Newcastle University's

School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health) said: " This

research brings us closer to understanding more about Type 1

diabetes. However, it's just one piece in the jigsaw and much more

research is needed before we can identify which infections may be to

blame and thus inform advice on preventative measures.

" The condition is likely to be caused by an interplay of factors, of

which infections are just one element. "

The study used data on 4008 0-29 year olds from the Yorkshire

Register of Diabetes in Children and Young People* from 1978-2002,

which receives funding from the Department of Health.

Dr Feltbower, Co-researcher and Research Statistician from

the Paediatric Epidemiology Group at the University of Leeds

said: " This research is based on a unique register of patients

diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and the results for young people are

entirely new. The clusters may occur as a result of infections

precipitating the condition in already predisposed individuals. "

Simon O'Neill, Director of Care and Policy at Diabetes UK, said: " We

always suspected that common infections could be a trigger for Type

1 diabetes in those who are already genetically susceptible. This

research provides vital evidence in supporting this link.

" The fact that the number of cases of Type 1 diabetes is rising by

three per cent each year cannot be explained by genetics alone. This

research reinforces the idea that common infections and

environmental factors also play a part. "