The honeymoon phase – what we know today about the factors that can modulate the remission period in type 1 diabetes

Certain patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), often shortly after initiating the treatment, may require smaller doses of insulin. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the remission or honeymoon phase. In majority the remission is partial, but in very rare cases complete remission might occur. Recent studies have enlightened that an appropriate treatment and follow-up during the honeymoon could potentially enable the prolongation of this period for years or even permanently stop the destruction of the remaining ß cells, hence the renewal of interest on the subject. On average, the remission usually appears approximately 3 months after the insulin therapy was started. The duration of the partial remission ranges from 1 month up to 13 years, with an average of 9.2 months. Various clinical and metabolic factors have been analysed to assess whether they are influencing the remission rate and the duration of the honeymoon period. However, the degree of their influence is still a point of discussion. Also, new potential factors are investigated. This article gives an up-to-date status on recent papers concerning remission in T1DM.