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Complications

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.

Our Approach

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.

  • Discover biomarkers

    to enable clinical trials targeting the early stages of disease

  • Identify genes

    so people with the greatest risk can take steps to intervene early

  • Include people with T1D in type 2 diabetes clinical trials

    so that promising treatments extend to T1D

“I learned at a young age the effect T1D could have on my eyes, and while the possibility of vision loss was a very scary thought, it’s not something I expected to encounter at age 34. After my diagnosis of Diabetic Eye Disease and retinopathy, I’m so grateful to have benefitted from the life-changing research being done to introduce new treatment options and reverse the effects of eye-related complications. I look forward to the day when vision loss is one less thing for people living with T1D to worry about.”

Elisabeth W.

35 years old, diagnosed at age 7

Kady T.

Many Paths, One Purpose

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.

All Research

Get involved and help lead us toward a cure

Patient speaking with health professional

Volunteer for a Clinical Trial
The U.S. Capitol building

Talk to Your Members of Congress About T1D
Crowd of JDRF One Walk participants

Participate in a JDRF Event Near You

Complications Progress

2014

Existing drug offers hope for kidney disease

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.

2017

Changing the standards of care for 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.

2018

A moonshot to restore vision

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.

2018

New gene that causes kidney disease in T1D

In one of the first and most extensive studies of its type, researchers have identified a new gene that causes chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Looking Ahead

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.

Latest Complications Updates