Study Details
Pathway to Prevention screening is the first step for all TrialNet prevention studies. Screening is offered free to relatives of people with T1D to evaluate their personal risk of developing the disease. This unique screening can identify the early stages of T1D years before any symptoms appear. It also helps researchers learn more about how T1D develops and plan new studies exploring ways to prevent it.- Relatives of people with T1D are 15 times more likely to develop the disease than the general population.
- Increased risk of developing T1D is linked to the presence of five diabetes-related autoantibodies.
- The JDRF, ADA and Endocrine Society now classify having two or more of these autoantibodies as early stage T1D
Who can participate?
You qualify for free risk screening if you:- are between the ages of 1 and 45 and have a parent, brother/sister, or child with T1D
- are between the ages of 1 and 20 and have an aunt/uncle, cousin, grandparent, niece/nephew, or half-brother/sister with T1D
- have not been diagnosed with diabetes (T1DM or T2DM)
What is required?
With the advanced screening offered in this study, you will learn if you are in the early stages of T1D. Almost all people who screen positive for two or more diabetes-related autoantibodies will develop T1D. Detecting the disease in its earliest stage gives you the opportunity to try to change the course of the disease. TrialNet offers clinical trials testing ways to slow or stop the disease at every stage.
Screening is free, quick, convenient and super important. Only a small sample of blood (about half a teaspoon) is required. The sample can be collected at a TrialNet site or a lab near you. For children we use a numbing solution that makes it practically painless. Results are ready in 6-8 weeks.- If your test results are negative, it means that no diabetes-related autoantibodies are present at this time and you are currently at lower risk than someone who tests positive. This is not a guarantee that you will never develop diabetes. Autoantibody status can change. Children whose test results are negative are encouraged to get rescreened every year until they reach age 18. We will send you a reminder letter when it is time to be rescreened.
- If you test positive for one autoantibody, you may be at higher risk for T1D. Your next step is to come in for further testing. Depending on these test results, you may be able to join a prevention study or be closely monitored.
- If you test positive for two or more autoantibodies, you are in the early stages of type 1 diabetes. Your next step is to come in for further testing. Depending on your test results, you may be able to join a prevention study or be closely monitored.