Abstract Disclosure: D. Krinsky: None. E. Brutsaert: None. J.A. Mullally: None. Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting in insulin deficiency from pancreatic beta-cell destruction. Recent evidence suggests that it can be a partially relapsing and remitting disease, with some patients with T1D being able to briefly discontinue insulin early in the disease course. This phenomenon has been referred to as the “honeymoon phase.” While this period tends to be short, on the order of weeks to months, we describe a unique case of a patient with T1D with a long remission, lasting about five years. Clinical Case A 21-year-old Mexican-American male (BMI 26) with past medical history of T1D presented with polyuria and a 50-pound unintentional weight loss over a 6-month period. He was first diagnosed with T1D at age 14 years when his Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) was 13.3% (normal range 4.0-5.6%) in the setting of hospitalization for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). All antibody testing done at that time was negative, but islet cell antibodies were later found to be positive. Insulin therapy was started, weaned, and then completely discontinued at age 16 when the patient’s HbA1c was normal at 5%. The patient had no symptoms of diabetes until 6 months prior to presenting, seven years after his original diagnosis. He was found to be in DKA with a HbA1c >14%. Additionally, insulin (< 3.0; normal range 6-27) and c-peptide (0.43; normal range 0.81-3.85) were low with an elevated glucose of 366. Insulin autoantibody, GAD-65 antibody, and islet cell antibody were negative. His DKA resolved and he was discharged on basal and nutritional insulin. Conclusion: The physiology of the honeymoon phase is not well understood and there is not a clear definition, although stimulated C-peptide levels, insulin requirements, and calculating insulin dose adjusted A1c (IDAA1c) have been commonly used. There is variability in reports of the prevalence of partial remission (PR), estimated to occur in 22-60% of patients, with an average duration of 9 months. Our case is unique in that the patient was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 14 years but was able to discontinue all insulin for five years. His presentation is consistent with a complete remission with insulin independence and normal glycemic control (HbA1C <6%) without the use of hypoglycemic agents. Complete remission has a prevalence of only 6.5%. Prior data has shown factors associated with diabetes remission include male sex, postpubescent age of diabetes onset, and fewer than two positive antibodies; factors seen with our patient. Our case highlights a very long remission of T1D, and a better understanding of the immunologic and metabolic factors at play in the honeymoon phase may pave the way for novel T1D prevention and treatment strategies. Presentation: 6/2/2024
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