Causes & What We Know/October 13, 2026/2 min read

When Type 1 Diabetes Overlaps with Other Autoimmune Diseases: What New Research Shows

A new study finds that people with generalized myasthenia gravis who also have Type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune conditions may benefit from a specific treatment approach. Understanding these overlaps matters for better care.

PubMed indexed literature

Evidence label explains the kind of source behind this article (for example peer-reviewed literature vs community video). It is not medical advice.

causesautoimmunitygeneticsrisk

Key takeaways

About one in three people with generalized myasthenia gravis have at least one other autoimmune condition, including Type 1 diabetes
When autoimmune diseases occur together, they may respond differently to treatment than when they occur alone
A treatment called Efgartigimod, which works by targeting antibodies in the body, showed clinical benefits in patients with multiple autoimmune conditions
This research highlights the importance of screening for and managing overlapping autoimmune diseases as part of comprehensive care

Autoimmune Diseases Often Come in Clusters

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you may have heard that autoimmune conditions sometimes run together. A new study adds important evidence to this pattern. Researchers looked at 35 patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG)—a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the nerves and muscles—and found that 12 of them (34%) had at least one other autoimmune condition alongside their gMG.

Among those with overlapping autoimmune diseases, some patients also had Type 1 diabetes, Stiff-Person syndrome, or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. This overlap isn't uncommon, and it may change how these conditions respond to treatment.

What the Study Found

The research tested a treatment called Efgartigimod (EFG) in these patients. This drug works by reducing certain antibodies in the body that drive autoimmune disease. Patients received the treatment as weekly infusions or injections for four weeks.

After four weeks, the results showed meaningful improvement. About 79% of patients showed significant improvement in daily functioning, while 68% showed measurable improvement in muscle strength and control. Notably, patients who had both gMG and Type 1 diabetes, along with other autoimmune conditions, showed particularly strong responses to the treatment.

The study also noted that many patients were able to reduce their prednisone dose (a corticosteroid often used to manage autoimmune disease) by an average of 8 mg per day.

Why This Matters for Type 1 Diabetes Care

This research suggests that when someone has Type 1 diabetes alongside another autoimmune disorder, their healthcare team should think about how these conditions interact. The overlap may affect how symptoms develop and which treatments work best.

While this study focused on myasthenia gravis patients, the finding that autoimmune comorbidities are common (affecting about one-third of patients) underscores a broader principle: people managing Type 1 diabetes should be aware of other autoimmune conditions and work with their care team to monitor for them. Understanding these connections could lead to better, more targeted care.

Evidence label

Source: Frontiers in neurology. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

More evidence-labeled coverage across the Type1Cure library.