A recent medical study in Japan has found that influenza may trigger a heightened risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). “These results, which must be confirmed in other populations, suggest that influenza may be a causal factor for new-onset type 1 diabetes. The molecular mechanisms underlying the potential etiological relationship between influenza and type1 diabetes should be elucidated,” according to the researchers.
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The study which is, a population-based retrospective
group study, included 10,400 patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes, whose
data were generated from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and
Specific Health Check-ups. Type 1 diabetes occurrence rates were compared between
the time period of 180 days after the influenza diagnosis versus other time
period.
There was a total of 441 patients developed type 1 diabetes
(T1D) within 180 days of an influenza diagnosis, with a rate of 2.4 cases per
day. Excluding this time frame, another 1,755 subjects had new-onset diabetes,
equivalent to a rate of 1.9 cases per day on record.
Using statistical analysis, it was revealed that the
risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) was 30% higher during the 180-day
period following being diagnosed with influenza.
Core findings were strong to sensitivity analyses.
Particularly, the researchers found no elevations in the risk of T1D 180 days prior
influenza diagnosis and from day 181-360 after. Linkage between influenza and
diabetes risk also remained across age groups and was unaffected by any type of
anti-influenza medications.
For complete details of the study, you may click here.
Source: J Diabetes Investig 2021;doi:10.1111/jdi/13540