A four-dose course of rituximab partially preserved beta-cell function over a period of 1 year in patients with type 1 diabetes. The finding that B lymphocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes may open a new pathway for exploration in the treatment of patients with this condition. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00279305.)

The authors examined factors prospectively associated with age of onset of partial syndrome eating disorders over a 4-year interval in a community sample (N = 877) of high school-age adolescent girls. Four percent developed a partial syndrome eating disorder over the interval. A measure of weight concerns was significantly associated with onset in a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis (p < .001). Girls scoring in the highest quartile on the measure of weight concerns had the highest incidence (10%) of partial syndrome onset, whereas none of the girls in the lowest quartile developed eating disorder symptoms. This finding is consistent with both theoretical and clinical perspectives and may represent a useful step toward the establishment of a rational basis for the choice of a prevention intervention target.

Community‐based prospective studies are needed to shed light on mechanisms that may influence development of eating disorders and identify variables that could serve as potential targets for prevention efforts. In this paper we examine level of weight preoccupation and other variables prospectively associated with age of onset of eating disorder symptoms over a 3‐year interval in a community sample (N = 939) of young adolescent girls. 3.6% (32/887) experienced onset of symptoms over the interval. Only one factor, a measure of Weight Concerns, was significantly associated with onset (p < 001). Girls scoring in the highest quartile on the measure of Weight Concerns had the shortest survival time (12% incidence by age 14.5) and those scoring in the lowest quartile had the highest survival time (2% incidence by age 14.5; p <001). This finding is consistent with both theoretical and clinical perspectives and represents one of the first prospective demonstrations of a linkage between weight and body shape concerns and later onset of eating disorder symptoms. An understanding of the independent variables that predispose girls to development of symptoms is a useful step towards the establishment of a rational basis for the choice of a prevention intervention target. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Background The immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with T-lymphocyte autoimmunity. To be fully active, immune T-lymphocytes require a co-stimulatory signal in addition to the main antigen driven signal. Abatacept modulates co-stimulation andprevents full T-lymphocyte activation. We evaluated the effect of abatacept in recent-onset T1DM. Methods In this multicentre, double-masked, randomised controlled trial, 112 subjects (ages 6–36) recently diagnosed with T1DM; 77 received abatacept (10 mg/kg, maximum 1000 mg/dose) and 35 received placebo infusions intravenously on days 1, 14, 28, and monthly for a total of 27 infusions over two years. Primary outcome was baseline-adjusted geometric mean 2-hour area under the curve (AUC) serum C-peptide following a mixed meal tolerance test at two years. Secondary outcomes include difference between groups in incidence of loss of peak C-peptide to < 0·2 pmol/ml, slope of C-peptide over time, changes in HbA1c and insulin dose, and safety. This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00505375). Findings Adjusted C-peptide AUC was 59% (95% CI: 6·1%, 112%) higher at two years with abatacept (0·378 pmol/ml) versus placebo (0·238 pmol/ml) (p=0·0029). The difference between groups was present throughout the trial, with an estimated 9·6 months’ delay in decline with abatacept. There was lower HbA1c (p<0·002) but similar insulin use. There were few, clinically not significant infusion related adverse events and minimal overall adverse events. There was no increase in infections or neutropenia. Interpretation Co-stimulation modulation with abatacept slowed decline of beta cell function over two years. The beneficial effect suggests that T-lymphocyte activation still occurs around the time of clinical diagnosis of T1DM. Yet, despite continued administration of abatacept over 24 months, the decline in beta cell function with abatacept was parallel to that with placebo after six months of treatment, causing us to speculate that T-lymphocyte activation may lessen with time. Further observation will determine whether the beneficial effect continues after cessation of abatacept infusions. Funding National Institutes of Health.

Packy & Marlon, an interactive video game designed to improve self-care among children and adolescents with diabetes, was evaluated in a six-month randomized controlled trial. In the game, players take the role of animated characters who manage their diabetes by monitoring blood glucose, taking insulin injections, and choosing foods, while setting out to save a diabetes summer camp from marauding rats and mice who have stolen the diabetes supplies. Study participants were patients aged 8 to 16 from two separate diabetes clinics. Each participant received a Super Nintendo video game system at an initial clinic visit and was randomly assigned to receive either Packy & Marlon (treatment group, N = 31) or an entertainment video game containing no diabetes-related content (control group, N = 28). Participants were interviewed and a parent filled out a questionnaire at baseline, three months, and six months. The findings in this study indicate that well-designed, educational video games can be effective interventions. There was improvement in the treatment group relative to the control group in terms of diabetes-related self-efficacy (p = 0.07), communication with parents about diabetes (p = 0.025), and self-care behaviours (p = 0.003), and a decrease in unscheduled urgent doctor visits (p = 0.08). There were no significant differences between the groups in knowledge about diabetes or in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Since participants in the study were in general well-controlled patients who were receiving excellent medical care, future research is contemplated involving youngsters who are not under good glycaemic control.