New Screening Study Finds Autoantibodies in 1 in 6 Young Relatives of Type 1 Diabetes Patients in Turkey

Researchers in Turkey conducted a multicentre screening study across nine paediatric endocrinology centres to test first-degree relatives of people living with Type 1 diabetes. The cohort included 440 children and young adults aged 2–18 years. Most participants (92%) had an affected sibling, while smaller groups had an affected mother or father. The goal was to understand how common diabetes-associated autoantibodies are in this population, how age affects autoantibody presence, and what emotional effects screening results have on families.

Overall, 16.4% of the 440 screened relatives—72 individuals—tested positive for at least one of four diabetes-associated autoantibodies (ZnT8A, GADA, IAA, and IA-2A). The researchers detected multiple autoantibodies in 13 participants (3.0%), a pattern that research has associated with a higher risk of progression to Type 1 diabetes.

ZnT8A emerged as the most frequently detected autoantibody, appearing in 11.4% of all participants. Among the youngest children aged 2–6 years, ZnT8A was present in 82% of autoantibody-positive cases, but its presence declined as children grew older, indicating an age-dependent pattern in autoantibody development and clearance.

The study measured anxiety levels in children aged 8–18 years and their parents using validated anxiety assessment tools (the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders for children and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for parents). These measurements were taken both before screening and immediately after families received their results. Understanding emotional responses to screening is important for developing supportive approaches that help families process findings about their child's autoantibody status.

This study provides important information about how often autoantibodies appear in young relatives of Type 1 diabetes patients, particularly in Turkish populations. The finding that autoantibodies are present in roughly 1 in 6 first-degree relatives suggests that screening can identify many at-risk individuals early. However, having an autoantibody does not mean a person will definitely develop Type 1 diabetes—some individuals remain autoantibody-positive for years without progressing to the clinical disease. Families who receive autoantibody-positive results should work with their healthcare team to understand what the result means for their individual situation and what monitoring may be appropriate.

Source: Diabetologia. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.