New form of type 1 diabetes identified in study – the-independent.com

Advancing Global Health Goals: New Research Identifies Atypical Type 1 Diabetes in African Populations

A recent study has identified a novel form of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) prevalent among individuals of African descent, a discovery with significant implications for global health diagnostics, treatment, and the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Research Findings and Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

The research challenges the conventional understanding of T1D as a purely autoimmune disease, directly impacting SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. A study involving 894 young people with diabetes in Cameroon, Uganda, and South Africa revealed that the majority did not fit the standard T1D profile.

• Absence of Autoantibodies: 65% of participants did not have the autoantibodies typically associated with the autoimmune attack on the pancreas seen in T1D.
• Lack of Genetic Predisposition: The subjects also lacked the genes that usually predispose individuals to autoimmune T1D.
• Distinct from Other Forms: The presentation was inconsistent with other known types of diabetes, including Type 2 and malnutrition-related diabetes.

This suggests the existence of a non-autoimmune form of T1D, necessitating a fundamental re-evaluation of diagnostic and management strategies to ensure effective healthcare outcomes for this population, a core target of SDG 3.

Addressing Health Disparities and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The findings underscore profound global health disparities, a central concern of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). For decades, diabetes research has predominantly focused on white Western populations, creating a knowledge gap and perpetuating inequality in healthcare.

• A comparative analysis showed that 15% of Black Americans with a T1D diagnosis exhibit a similar non-autoimmune profile, unlike White Americans whose condition consistently aligns with autoimmune patterns.
• Professor Moffat Nyirenda of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit described the findings as a “wake-up call,” highlighting that assumptions about T1D are based on a limited demographic and are not universally applicable.

Addressing this oversight is critical to reducing health inequalities and ensuring that medical advancements benefit all populations, not just those historically at the center of research.

A Call for Innovation and Partnerships in Line with SDG 9 and SDG 17

The study’s conclusions call for urgent action aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The research itself, a collaboration between the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, exemplifies the effective partnerships needed to tackle complex global health challenges.

The necessary path forward requires a concerted effort to:

1. Foster innovation in medical research by investigating the specific biological and environmental factors driving this form of diabetes in African populations.
2. Develop new, resilient healthcare infrastructure, including diagnostic tools and treatment protocols that are fit for purpose in African settings.
3. Strengthen global partnerships to ensure that research and healthcare solutions are co-developed with and tailored to the communities they are intended to serve.

Standard Indicators of Type 1 Diabetes

While the new findings challenge the universal applicability of the current T1D model, the commonly recognized symptoms remain important for initial diagnosis. According to the NHS, these include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst and fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is a new discovery related to type 1 diabetes, a non-communicable disease. It discusses the diagnosis, management, and underlying biological mechanisms of the disease, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The research highlights a significant disparity in medical knowledge, noting that “Most studies to date have focused on white Western populations, overlooking regional and genetic diversity.” The discovery of a different form of type 1 diabetes in people of African descent underscores the inequality in healthcare research and the need for diagnostic and treatment approaches that are “fit for purpose in African settings.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The study itself is a product of international collaboration, involving researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, and volunteers and clinicians across Cameroon, Uganda, and South Africa. This partnership is essential for generating the new knowledge discussed.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases

   The article focuses on improving the understanding and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. A better diagnosis and management strategy, as called for by the researchers, would directly contribute to reducing by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.

2. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the inclusion of all, irrespective of race or ethnicity

   The article’s “wake-up call” to challenge assumptions about diabetes and ensure that diagnostic and treatment approaches are suitable for African populations directly addresses this target. It calls for the inclusion of genetically diverse populations in medical research to ensure equitable health outcomes, irrespective of race or origin.

3. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation

   The research described is a clear example of North-South scientific cooperation (US/UK institutions working with African partners). The call to “deepen our investigations” further supports the need for continued international partnerships to advance scientific knowledge and enhance knowledge sharing in regions that have been historically overlooked.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 3.4 (Implied): Mortality rate from diabetes

  While not explicitly stated as a metric, the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis and management of diabetes is to reduce its health burden. Progress can be measured by the official indicator 3.4.1 (Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease).

• Indicator for Target 10.2 (Implied): Proportion of research focused on diverse populations

  The article states that “Most studies to date have focused on white Western populations.” An implied indicator of progress would be an increase in the number and proportion of medical studies, like the one featured, that focus on non-white and genetically diverse populations, particularly in African settings.

• Indicator for Target 17.6 (Mentioned): Number of international collaborative research projects

  The study itself, involving institutions from the US, UK, and three African nations, serves as a direct example of this indicator. The article’s existence proves at least one such project is underway, and the call for more research implies that tracking the number of these collaborations is a way to measure progress.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: independent.co.uk