Why have I been contacted about this study?
Through your participation in another type 1 diabetes screening study or through self-referral, you have been identified as having one or more islet autoantibody markers of risk in your blood. Monitoring of these markers and other changes to the immune system can help us understand more about how and why some people develop type 1 diabetes while other do not. Monitoring may also help prevent complications associated with type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
I have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Can I still participate?
This study is looking at risk to developing type 1 diabetes, unfortunately if you have been diagnosed with the condition you are no longer eligible to take part.
Can other family members be tested?
The ARAD study is only for people who have previously tested positive for islet autoantibodies. However, adult family members and friends can be screened by joining our sister study T1DRA (type 1 diabetes risk in adults). There is also an ongoing study screening children between the ages of 3 and 13 years, please go to The ELSA Study for more information The ELSA Study.
What samples and information will you be collecting?
On joining ARAD, the samples requested are a finger prick blood sample for islet autoantibody testing and a mouth brush DNA sample to look at genes associated with type 1 diabetes. We will provide all the required materials and guidance and will ask you to return the samples to the laboratory in pre-paid packaging. During the registration process we will ask you some questions about yourself and type 1 diabetes in your family.
Yearly follow up: Participants will be asked to provide finger prick (islet autoantibody measurement) Urine (UCPCR) beta cell function and Stool samples (Pancreatic enzymes/function).
Yearly monitoring: HbA1c blood test by finger prick home kit will be requested to provide information about glucose levels.
Participants may be invited to join immune cell research studies and given information about new clinical trials if consent allows.
How will I receive my result?
Your results may be reported by email, participants will/may be contacted by a nurse to explain the results. A letter explaining your results for you to pass on to your GP can be sent upon request.
What are the benefits of participating in ARAD?
We hope that by providing islet autoantibody results and guidance about future risk, this
should help prevent symptoms being overlooked and a delayed or emergency diagnosis of
type 1 diabetes.
For the scientific community, monitoring individuals with risk markers can help us understand
more about how and why some people develop type 1 diabetes while others do not.
If I want to withdraw from the study, how do I do this?
Should you wish to withdraw from the study, you can do this at any time without having to
give a reason. Please contact us by email: arad-study@bristol.ac.uk or via our website’s contact form.