[Clinical remission in type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells of the Langerhans islets. At the early stage of the disease in some patients clinical remission is observed. Until now no unequivocal criteria of complete or partial remission in diabetes have been established. In order to better define this phenomenon, individual, metabolic and genetic factors as well as immunological markers, which can influence the rate and length of remission, should be considered in greater detail. The state of remission is, however, transitory and all attempts to extend it result in immunosuppressive therapy. The latest investigations also point to the influence of the insulin treatment on the prevalence and duration of the clinical remission in type 1 diabetes mellitus. These studies seem to be fully justified, taking into consideration the mechanisms of interference of exogenous insulin in the immunological process.