Despite advances that are giving people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) better tools to control their disease, those living with T1D are still at risk of developing serious health problems such as kidney, eye, heart and nerve diseases. The JDRF Complications Program focuses on diabetic kidney and eye diseases, two areas where we believe we have the best opportunity to make short- and long-term impact on people’s lives.
Research shows rigorous insulin therapy could significantly reduce the risk of diabetes complications. Only one-third of people with T1D, however, are currently achieving the recommended blood-sugar targets.
to enable clinical trials targeting the early stages of disease
so people with the greatest risk can take steps to intervene early
so that promising treatments extend to T1D
“Despite having stable blood-sugar levels, I was always afraid that I would develop complications from T1D. JDRF-funded research, however, found that I have two genes that protect me from kidney and eye disease. I can’t wait until this is transformed into treatments, so people can avoid T1D complications and the fear that they bring.” Tyrese S.42 years old, diagnosed at age 12
“Despite having stable blood-sugar levels, I was always afraid that I would develop complications from T1D. JDRF-funded research, however, found that I have two genes that protect me from kidney and eye disease. I can’t wait until this is transformed into treatments, so people can avoid T1D complications and the fear that they bring.”
Tyrese S.42 years old, diagnosed at age 12
Our research into complications stemming from T1D, including vision and kidney disease, is just one potential pathway to finding a cure for T1D. Explore JDRF’s ambitious research portfolio.
The PERL clinical trial, which JDRF funded an earlier pilot study, explores the potential of allopurinol, a gout drug, to delay or halt kidney disease in people with T1D.
Three different therapies have shown that they improve outcomes for people with T1D, including a drug that reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications in individuals with long-standing T1D.
JDRF and The Mary Tyler Moore & S. Robert Levine, MD Charitable Foundation launch “Restoring Vision: A JDRF Moonshot Initiative,” which will convene global research leaders to design a next-generation strategy for reversing blindness in T1D individuals.
In one of the first and most extensive studies of its type, researchers have identified a new gene that causes chronic kidney disease (CKD).
To date, more than $115 million has been invested by JDRF in complications research. One day, complications are reversed and prevented for people living with T1D.
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