Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes risk factors

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown, but the underlying pathways and contributing risk factors are well documented.

Genetic risk

Type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component involving more than 50 genes. Genetic risk levels vary between different world regions. While some genetic markers clearly increase the risk of type 1 diabetes, not all people with these markers develop the condition. This suggests that environmental factors play a role in whether a person develops type 1 diabetes.

Family history

The likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes increases with a family history of the condition. Combined with genetic factors, the risk varies depending on the familial relationship. People with a parent, sibling or child with type 1 diabetes are at much greater overall risk than the general population.

Autoimmune conditions clustering

Autoimmune conditions sometimes run in families. This means a person with type 1 diabetes may have relatives with other autoimmune conditions, or may be more likely to develop another autoimmune condition themselves. The conditions most often linked with type 1 diabetes are autoimmune thyroid disease and coeliac disease. Less commonly, conditions such as Addison’s disease, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis may also occur.

Presence of islet autoantibodies

The presence of islet autoantibodies is a strong marker of the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. These autoantibodies are produced by the immune system and target proteins found in the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Their presence indicates that an autoimmune process has begun and that the body is mistakenly attacking these cells.

Age

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age. In children and adolescents, symptoms often appear quickly and may require urgent insulin treatment. Although type 1 diabetes is commonly associated with younger people, many new cases are diagnosed in adults, including people aged 20 years and older.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors such as viral infections, early life nutrition, gut imbalance and physical activity interact with genetic risk and influence the development of islet autoantibodies and clinical type 1 diabetes.

Managing type 1 diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin treatment, regular blood glucose monitoring and a healthy lifestyle to manage their condition effectively.

Insulin

All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood glucose levels. There are different types of insulin depending on how quickly they work, when they peak, and how long they last. The three most common ways to take insulin are with a syringe, an insulin pen or an insulin pump.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

The emergence of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) has been a pivotal advancement in supporting diabetes management. Unlike self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which involves finger pricking and blood drawing, CGM devices offer a more user-friendly and less intrusive solution to measure glucose levels. For people living with type 1 diabetes, CGM devices can improve quality of life and well-being by providing real-time data that helps make informed decisions about diet, insulin dosing and overall lifestyle.