Increasing evidences suggest that infections are important etiological factors for the development of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The overall hypothesis of the study is that the treatment of children, during the first year after diagnosis of T1D with Azithromycin, combined with repeated episodes of intensified insulin treatment to induce maximal beta-cell rest, and dietician support to promote dietary habits that minimize the likelihood of bacterial reflux from the duodenum to the pancreatic duct, will lead to preservation of beta cell function. This trial will examine whether the AIDIT protocol initiated within one week from diagnosis could preserve insulin production in children with Type 1 Diabetes.
The study is a 2-arm, randomized, open, single center, clinical trial. Eligible patients with type 1 diabetes will be randomized to the AIDIT protocol or treatment as usual (TAU). All patients diagnosed with T1D and included in the study will receive standard of care. In addition, the AIDIT protocol will include 1) treatment with Azithromycin for 52 weeks using a protocol for children with cystic fibrosis, 2) repeated treatments with intensified supervised high dose insulin infusion, and 3) extra advice and support from the study dietician. 1. Azithromycin Azithromycin will be administered orally. Azithromycin will be given three times per week for 52 weeks. The dose will be 500 mg for children with body weight ≥ 30 kg and 250 mg if body weight \< 30 kg. 2. Intensified supervised high dose insulin infusions Participants will, in addition to Azithromycin, also be subjected to intensified anti-diabetic treatment to achieve increased beta-cell rest. This will be achieved by insulin lispro given as a supervised iv infusion for 72 hours within one week of diagnosis and by subcutaneous infusion 6-8 hours during one day in study week 5, 9, 13, 17 (±1 week) and 25, 34, 43 (±2 weeks) after inclusion. The intensified treatments will aim to target a blood glucose level of 4.0 ± 0.5 mmol/l. The efficacy of the intended maximal beta cell rest will be evaluated by measurement of plasma glucose and endogenous C-peptide. If C-peptide remains positive during the supervised infusion of insulin lispro this will be interpreted as that the insulin dose needs to be increased at the next treatment occasion to achieve beta-cell rest. 3. Dietician support Participants will receive extra advice and support from the study dietician within the first week after randomization, and after 7 and 17 weeks. Personalized nutritional advice on intake of carbohydrates, fat and protein based on four-day food records will be given to in order to reduce insulin resistance and insulin need in accordance with ISPAD guidelines. By giving nutritional advices on less volume of the meals, especially of the fluid (maximum 300 ml per meal), and by trying to extend the meal time to at least 20 minutes, the reflux into ductus pancreaticus might be reduced. All patients will be offered an examination of their pancreas with MRI at 0 and 12 months after inclusion. In addition, plasma samples taken at inclusion and after 1.5 and 12 months will be analysed for the presence of cell-free DNA indicating ongoing cell destruction. Cell-specific methylation patterns of this cell-free DNA will be analysed to determine cell-type specific cell death. The effect of the addition of treatment according to the AIDIT protocol will be evaluated with a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT) to explore the effect on preservation of beta-cell function.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Azithromycin Monohydrate tablet (Azithromycin Sandoz) or oral suspension (Azithromax).
Solution for intravenous or subcutaneous use
Dietary advice
The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital / Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Gothenburg, Sweden
RECRUITINGStimulated C-peptide during an MMTT
Residual insulin secretion measured by mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) stimulated C-peptide two-hour under the curve profile measured one year after study inclusion.
Time frame: 12 months after inclusion
>60% of time in target blood glucose levels
Proportion of subjects with time in target 3.9-7.8 mmol/L ≥ 60% and with a glycaemic variability expressed as standard deviation \< 2 mmol/L according to continuous glucose monitoring during two weeks in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: two weeks in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment
Time in target blood glucose levels
Time in target (3.9-7.8 mmol/L) during 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment
Time in range blood glucose levels
Time in range (3.9-10 mmol/L) during 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment
Insulin dose
Mean daily insulin dosage per kilo bodyweight during 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment
HbA1c levels
HbA1c at 12 months after study initiation
Time frame: 12 months
Hypoglycaemic events
Number of severe hypoglycaemic events (hypoglycaemia level 3) during the study year.
Time frame: From study start to 12 months
Time in hypoglycemic range
Time in hypoglycaemic range level 1 and 2 (\<3.9 mmol/l and \<3.0 mmol/l) respectively in CGM registrations during 30 days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 30 days in the 12th month
IDAA1c
Insulin-dose-adjusted HbA1c (IDAA1c) 12 months after study initiation
Time frame: 12 months
Pro-insulin/c-peptide
Pro-insulin/c-peptide ratio in serum 12 months after study initiation
Time frame: 12 months
Pancreas inflammation
Inflammation in the pancreas measured by contrast enhanced MRI at 12 months after initiation of the study
Time frame: 12 months
QoL
Health related Quality of Life; Varni PedsQL, Generic and Diabetes specific questionnaire, by child and proxy (parents or other caregivers) at study start and 12 months after study initiation.
Time frame: 12 months
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms: "The gastrointestinal symptom rating scale" (GSRS) at study start and 12 months after study initiation .
Time frame: 12 months
Time spent eating
Average time spent eating at meals during four days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 12 months
Intake of saturated fat
Intake of saturated fat (E% and if the child reaches Nordic Nutritional Recommendations, NNR) during four days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: four days in the 12th month
Intake of fruit
Intake of fruit and vegetables (g/day and if the child reaches NNR) during four days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: four days in the 12th month
Intake of macronutrients
Intake of macronutrients (E% and g/day) during four days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: four days in the 12th month
Intake of fibre
Intake of fibre (g/day and if the child reaches NNR) during four days in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: four days in the 12th month
Physical activity measured with accelerometer
Physical activity registered with accelerometer during one week in the 6th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 6 months
Physical activity measured with accelerometer
Physical activity registered with accelerometer during one week in the 12th month after initiation of the study treatment.
Time frame: 12 months
Oral microbiome
The oral microbiome at 12 months after study initiation.
Time frame: 12 months
Change in stimulated C-peptide
Change in stimulated c-peptide two-hour under the curve profile from 6 weeks to 12 months after initiation of study treatment.
Time frame: change from 6 weeks to 12 months after initiation of study treatment
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