Fr1da study enables early Type 1 diabetes detection in Germany

The Fr1da study has demonstrated for ten years that population-wide screening for islet autoantibodies can be successfully integrated into routine pediatric care. Originally a pilot project in Bavaria, the screening program has expanded to twelve German federal states, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Saxony.

Since 2015, pediatric practices participating in the study have tested more than 240,000 children. Researchers identified the early stages of Type 1 diabetes in over 730 cases. The identification of these stages—characterized by the presence of two or more islet autoantibodies—is essential for applying new disease-modifying immunological therapies and facilitating long-term transition into standard medical care.

To support clinical classification, the 2026 ICD-10-GM version in Germany has introduced specific codes for the presymptomatic stages of Type 1 diabetes.