Establishing Screening Programs for Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes: Practical Guidance for Diabetes Care Providers

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has presymptomatic stages (1 and 2) detectable by autoantibodies before clinical onset (stage 3).
• Early identification allows for monitoring and preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.
• A new therapy can delay stage 3 T1D onset in stage 2 patients, emphasizing early detection's importance.

Purpose of the Study:

• Provide guidance for endocrinology providers to establish clinical autoantibody screening programs.
• Facilitate the integration of T1D autoantibody screening into standard healthcare practices.
• Address barriers and offer solutions for successful screening initiative adoption.

Main Methods:

• Nominate a program champion and build an implementation team.
• Standardize screening communication, workflow integration, and logistics (ordering, coding).
• Develop protocols for result interpretation, communication, and patient follow-up.

Main Results:

• The report outlines key steps for establishing and implementing T1D autoantibody screening programs.
• Practical solutions are offered to overcome common barriers to screening adoption.
• Guidance is provided for providers to integrate screening into various healthcare settings.

Conclusions:

• Integrating T1D autoantibody screening into standard practice is essential for early detection and intervention.
• Proactive implementation strategies and provider education are key to successful screening programs.
• Early detection through screening can significantly impact patient outcomes by enabling timely therapeutic interventions.