The body's immune system provides protection against harmful viruses, bacteria, and other foreign bodies. However, in some individuals, this protective mechanism can turn on the body itself. Such is the case with type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly targets the very cells responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. According to Dr Mohammed Al-Sofiani, Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism at King Saud University, many patients with type 1 diabetes usually present to the emergency room with symptoms like severe fatigue, weight loss, excessive urination, and excessive thirst. He explains that in people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin - the hormone that controls blood glucose. However, even after the antibodies form, there is a long asymptomatic phase, and the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes happens only after significant beta cell destruction has already occurred. This period presents a critical window of opportunity for early intervention and diagnosis. Dr Al-Sofiani further notes that the challenge lies in identifying the disease before it reaches its final stage when insulin therapy becomes a medical necessity. One particularly dangerous complication of this disease is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition in which the blood becomes acidic due to an accumulation of ketones. Often the first sign of type 1 diabetes in children, DKA can be life-threatening. In Saudi Arabia, the mortality rate for diabetic ketoacidosis is estimated at 2 to 3.5 per cent, underscoring the urgent need for early diagnosis and preventive care. Professor Dr Bassam Saleh Bin Abbas, Consultant, Head Section of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Pediatric Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center emphasises the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. While type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune attacks which lead to partial or complete deficiency of insulin, type 2 diabetes stems from a resistance to insulin's effects. Therefore, type 2 diabetes can be treated with drugs that increase the function of these receptors, while type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy instead. He also remarks that preventive drugs approved by the American and Saudi FDA are now available in Saudi Arabia. These are particularly helpful for the relatives of those with type 1 diabetes as they typically have a genetic predisposition for this disease. It is also beneficial for those who have already developed the antibodies, even without any symptoms. Notably, preventive drugs can help delay the onset of the disease in such individuals by a median of 2 to 2.7 years. In Saudi Arabia, Sanofi is redefining diabetes treatment practices through its trailblazing innovations, further catalysing the shift from reactive to proactive, patient-centric healthcare. Furthermore, through these advancements, the company aims to provide families with what they desire the most, which is to delay disease onset and the need for lifelong insulin therapy. While type 1 diabetes can often feel too sudden and overwhelming, its detrimental impact can be minimised through early detection and preventing disease progression. In addition to being a key scientific milestone, such medical breakthroughs lay the foundation for a robust national healthcare system, built on the tenets of prevention, early action and better outcomes.
