Factors predicting remission in type I diabetes.

The remission period often following the clinical onset of insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes, is characterized by residual B cell function, reduced insulin requirements, and good metabolic control. Known factors predicting remission include high age at onset, male sex, mild initial metabolic derangement and absence of frank ketoacidosis. It has been possible to increase the frequency of remissions by strict initial control of diabetes with intensive insulin therapy and by immunological manipulation with corticosteroids, cyclosporin A or plasmapheresis. Patients who have experienced a remission show higher plasma C-peptide levels even after the remission period, but there is no conclusive evidence so far about any beneficial effect of therapeutic intervention on residual B cell function beyond the remission period.