The TUDID Study - Background and Design of a Prospective Cohort

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Nephrology
• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Growing global prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality.
• Individual susceptibility to diabetes-related complications remains poorly understood, hindering targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the Tuebingen Diabetes Database (TUDID) to prospectively characterize diabetes complications.
• To investigate the underlying causes of individual susceptibility to diabetes-related complications.
• To facilitate the development of tailored treatment options for reducing the risk and severity of complications.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, monocentric, observational study design.
• Inclusion of adult patients with diabetes mellitus treated at a university hospital.
• Comprehensive clinical examinations, extensive laboratory tests with biobanking.
• Standardized investigations focusing on kidneys, eyes, vasculature, cognition, and mood for early complication detection.

Main Results:

• Data collection and characterization of diabetes-related complications are ongoing.
• The study aims to identify factors influencing individual susceptibility to complications.
• Detailed phenotyping will enable analysis of complication development and progression.

Conclusions:

• The TUDID study provides a robust platform for understanding diabetes complication pathogenesis.
• Findings will enhance knowledge of individual variability in diabetes progression.
• This research is expected to inform personalized therapeutic approaches for diabetes management.