Islet transplantation in type 1 diabetic patients

Transplant Proc. 2004 Apr;36(3):603-4. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.02.046.

Abstract

Islet transplantation has been shown to improve overall glucose homeostasis and retard the progression of complications in type I diabetic patients. Also the percentage of recipients achieving complete insulin independence has progressively increased over recent years. An unsolved problem is whether the short-term graft function is secondary to progressive islet exhaustion or to recurrent autoimmunity despite the immunosuppressive therapy. The indications for this procedure remain limited to selected type I diabetic patients. The risks of the immunosuppressive therapy are only proposed to type I diabetic recipients with uncontrolled disease, despite all efforts of the diabetologist and the patient (brittle diabetes), or with a poor quality of life due to unawareness hypoglycemia or severe chronic and progressive complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery*
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation* / physiology
  • Quality of Life
  • Recurrence