Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is an endocrine disease which develops because of an autoimmune response that targets and degrades insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. The destruction of beta cells results in an inability to produce insulin, a hormone that is essential in the regulation of blood glucose concentration. The incidence of type 1 diabetes continues to increase in the United States. The pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes is influenced by several favors including autoimmunity, genetic predispositions, and environmental insults. The disease typically manifests as a combination of symptoms, most commonly polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria. Documented symptoms, elevated blood glucose levels, and abnormal urine test results are diagnostic criteria for type 1 diabetes. After diagnosis, treatment involves daily management of blood glucose concentration through the use of insulin injections, insulin pumps, or continuous glucose monitoring systems. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, two states of abnormal blood glucose levels, occur if the disease is not managed properly. Immediate consequences of untreated hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are insulin shock and diabetic ketoacidosis, respectively. Prolonged hyperglycemia, however, damages cells and can cause nephropathy and end-stage renal disease, neuropathy and lower-extremity amputations, retinopathy and macular edema, and periodontal disease. Currently available cures such as insulin gene therapy, islet cell transplants, whole organ pancreas transplants, and mechanical artificial pancreas systems are not effective for many patients.

Keywords

Type 1 diabetes, diabetes mellitus, endocrine disease

Document Type

Thesis

Year of Completion

2020

Major

Health Sciences

Advisor

Dr. Vinaya Sampath

Academic Department

Biomedical, Health and Nutritional Sciences

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