Aim

To investigate whether physical activity is associated with the occurrence of remission in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

99 adult participants with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were enrolled into a prospective, observational study. The participants were advised to exercise 2-3 times a week with moderate intensity for a one-year period. Physical activity was assessed by a self-administrated questionnaire on every fourth visit.

We counted the months in which participants fulfilled a partial-remission criteria: HbA1c <6.5%, C-peptide >0.5 ng/ml, and daily dose of insulin <0.3 U/kg/day. We assigned the participants to two groups: MORE EFFORT and LESS EFFORT, depending on the median value of physical activity in the studied population.

Results

The occurrence of the remission achieved statistical significance at 6th month with a greater prevalence in MORE EFFORT group (55% vs. 35% p=0.047). In multivariate logistic regression analysis for the occurrence of remission at 12th month, physical activity before the diagnosis was the only variable that influences the occurrence of the remission [AOR=3.32 (95%CI 1.25-8.80); p=0.02].

Conclusion

In adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes physical activity before the diagnosis is associated with higher occurrence of remission.

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