5-year follow-up study of C-peptide secretion in newly diagnosed type I diabetics: relations to HLA-phenotype, insulin requirement and metabolic control.

50 HLA-typed insulin-dependent diabetics were studied at the time of diabetes onset and after 1, 2, 3 and 5 years with regard to C-peptide secretion after combined stimulation with glucose and glucagon, insulin requirement and glycaemic control index. The mean decrease of the residual B-cell reserve was observed within two years. C-peptide secretion was correlated with better metabolic control and lower insulin requirement after more than one year of diabetes duration, but had no influence on this at the time of diabetes onset. The C-peptide response sometimes varied between non response and high response in one individual from one investigation to the next. There was no prognostic value of C-peptide secretion at diabetes onset for the further development of B-cell function. We found a significantly longer persistence of B-cell function in patients who were older and in those with mild symptoms at diabetes onset. The presence of HLA B8, DR3 antigens was correlated with severe ketoacidosis at manifestation and a more pronounced destruction of B-cell function.