Sanford PLEDGE Study reaches enrollment milestone

Sanford PLEDGE Study reaches enrollment milestone

Contact:

Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / [email protected]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Sanford PLEDGE Study, which centers on a blood test to identify children at risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease, has enrolled 10,000 pediatric patients. The study was launched by Sanford Research in 2020, thanks to grant funding from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

"By knowing who is on that path to T1D, we can intervene earlier to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - a life-threatening condition," said Dr. Kurt Griffin, principal investigator of the PLEDGE Study.

1 in 200 people in the U.S. have T1D. T1D is an autoimmune disease that destroys the beta cells that make insulin, eventually causing high blood sugar levels. The progression from the start of autoimmunity to having high blood sugar typically takes months or years. For much of this time, there are no outward signs that this is happening. At the end of this process, T1D symptoms typically develop unexpectedly and rapidly, with many children progressing to DKA before they are recognized as having T1D.

"Over the last four years, we have found more than 70 children with autoantibodies indicating they are at risk for developing T1D. These children are now being monitored closely to provide early interventions if and when needed. We have had five children progress to clinical care for diabetes, none of whom had DKA or even overt symptoms. Our hope is that further results from PLEDGE will support moving this screening into standard clinical practice, not just at Sanford, but as part of national guidelines."

Since 90% of T1D diagnoses occur without a family history of this disease, PLEDGE screening is being offered to all Sanford patients under 6 years or between 9-16 years of age. To learn more or to enroll in PLEDGE, talk with your child's primary care physician or visit SanfordHealth.org/Pledge.

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves 1.4 million patients and nearly 200,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 45 hospitals, 211 clinic locations, more than 160 Good Samaritan Society senior living centers, 2,900 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 540 active clinical trials, and nine world clinic locations around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health's commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.