A multi-year analysis of islet transplantation compared with intensive medical therapy on progression of complications in type 1 diabetes.

Background: We hypothesized that transplantation of islets into type 1 diabetics could improve outcomes of glucose metabolism, renal function, retinopathy, and neuropathy compared with intensive medical therapy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, crossover, cohort study of intensive medical therapy (group 1) versus islet cell transplantation (group 2) in 42 patients. All were enrolled in group 1 then 31 crossed over with group 2 when islet donation became available.

Reduced progression of diabetic retinopathy after islet cell transplantation compared with intensive medical therapy.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a major complication of type 1 diabetes and remains a leading cause of visual loss. There have been no comparisons of the effectiveness of intensive medical therapy and islet cell transplantation on preventing progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: The British Columbia islet transplant program is conducting a prospective, crossover study comparing medical therapy and islet cell transplantation on the progression of diabetic retinopathy.