Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body attacks itself. In the case of diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys its own insulin-producing cells and this affects the sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. Therapies to manage T1D are available but many people living with diabetes struggle a lot with constant, daily management and with maintaining the blood glucose levels they want. Although the chances of developing complications from diabetes have lowered, it remains a serious disease.
It is unfortunately common for children and adults who develop T1D in Canada to have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) — a life-threatening, frightening, and costly condition. Currently in Canada, 25%-45% of children start their T1D experience in DKA.
However, when families know their child is at risk and what to watch for, rates of DKA at disease onset can be much lower. In addition to preventing potentially traumatic experiences for families in Canada, preventing DKA can also improve long-term health.
Our Background
The risk of developing T1D can be identified years before clinical symptoms develop. A national screening network called the Canadian Population Screening for Risk of Type 1 Diabetes, ‘CanScreen T1D’, research consortium is being developed together with members of the public, those living with diabetes and their families, healthcare providers and other experts.
Proudly Canadian
The CanScreen T1D research consortium is a pan-Canadian initiative, with partners from different provinces. View our map for more details!
Our Mission
Approved, practical, and designed for you.
The CanScreen T1D research consortium will explore the acceptability (i.e., does the Canadian population approve its purpose?) and feasibility (i.e., how practical is the screening program for the population?) of a screening program for T1D in the general population in Canada.
We are aiming to identify children at risk of developing T1D, integrate the opinions of the Canadian population into the design of a pilot screening program, launch the program, and assess its performance to better meet our residents’ needs.
Our Commitment to You
Through an early detection of T1D, we are hoping to secure a better future for your child. We are committed to offering our research participants access to direct updates on our research findings, our diverse educational resources on T1D, and support, if eligible.
Our research projects have been developed to identify the follow-up strategies to understand risk, provide education, and monitor for the development of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) with the collaboration of the Canadian population.
The goals of our screening program also include a reduction in DKA rates in Canada, referral to clinical trials of therapies to prevent or delay the onset of T1D for our participants, and where available, to identify those with early hyperglycemia who may be eligible for treatment with licensed therapies to delay the onset of Stage 3 T1D.