Insulin injections in people at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes failed to delay or prevent the disease, according to reports at the recent American Diabetes Association meeting. In the 5-year study, people at high risk who received low-dose insulin injections twice a day and a 4-day course of low-dose, continuous intravenous injection went on to develop diabetes at the same rate as those who did not receive the preventive therapy. Nearly 60% of people in both groups developed type 1 diabetes during the 5 years of the trial.

Because previous animal studies and a small trial in people had suggested that insulin injections could prevent type 1 diabetes, researchers expressed their disappointment in the results. However, they insisted that they learned a great deal and are not discouraged by the outcome. This study was part of the Diabetes Prevention Trial - Type 1, which is also testing whether taking insulin pills can prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in people with a lower risk of developing diabetes. That study is currently recruiting participants.

Related information: Diabetes Prevention Trial