The "accelerator hypothesis" has made a significant impact on research into the etiology of type 1 diabetes. Some, but not all prospective studies have confirmed a weak association between insulin resistance and faster progression to diabetes among persons with advanced islet autoimmunity. However, there is hardly any evidence that insulin resistance can cause development of islet autoimmunity, thus be responsible for the ongoing pandemic of type 1 diabetes in children.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.