Feasibility and organization of a population-based screening for pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes in children — evaluation of the Fr1da study

Aim: Type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic metabolic disease in childhood. Often diagnosis comes with acutely life-threatening ketoacidosis and requires hospitalization. To avoid this, early detection of children at a pre-symptomatic stage is worthwhile. This task is met by a population-based screening in Bavaria, Germany – the Fr1da study. Here, we aim to evaluate the study concept, feasibility and medical evidence of the Fr1da study. Methods: 308 pediatricians, 16 diabetes care centers and participating families were asked to evaluate the Fr1da study by completing questionnaires assessing study concept and feasibility, educational program and study organization. The assessment was done anonymously. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training the parents had to answer questionnaires to assess their knowledge about diabetes. Results: 48% of pediatricians and 56% of pediatric diabetes care centers filled out the questionnaire. The majority positively judged the collaboration with the Fr1da coordinating center and the feasibility to integrate the project into daily routine. Medical evidence of the screening was recognized and most of the respondents endorsed the screening to be permanently integrated into standard care-program. The majority of parents would recommend the study to other parents with young children since they were satisfied with the collaboration with pediatricians, diabetes care centers and the coordinating center. Quality control of the educational program revealed good understanding of the teaching content. Conclusion: The Fr1da study received high acceptance and recognition by both, health care providers and participating families, and demonstrated sustainable success with the developed educational program.