Early years: pregnancy & childhood
The first talk focused on pregnancy, including the time before conception. “Dr Sara Suliman actually started before pregnancy, focusing on the challenges of being overweight or obese both for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes,” says Vilsbøll. The talk offered insights into the clinical care of women with diabetes and obesity who are pregnant or wish to have a child, highlighting impacts on health for the mother and the offspring.
Childhood was another focal point of the joint session presented by Dr Julie Tonsgaard Kloppenborg: “More and more children are becoming overweight. This increases their need for insulin and exposes them to stigma and other problems,” Vilsbøll summarises.
Age-related challenges
With rising life expectancy, more patients are facing age-related complications such as difficulties with glucose monitoring and new technology presented Dr Luke Boyle. “They’re often challenged by polypharmacy and complicated devices that they might not even know how to take care of,” says Vilsbøll.
The joint session also made clear that the coexistence of T1D and obesity increases treatment complexity and health risks across the lifespan. “You need more insulin, and that leads to huge fluctuations in the glucose profile. Individuals with both type 1 diabetes and obesity are concerned about the health consequences associated with each of them,” Vilsbøll explains.
Wrap up & what’s next: ECO 2026 in Vienna
“I learned a lot and appreciated the collaborative arrangement between the EASO and the EASD,” Vilsbøll concludes. Looking ahead, the two societies will continue their collective efforts, with a joint symposium already planned for ECO 2026 in Vienna. “The programme will include a number of groundbreaking clinical trials, and we look forward to seeing you in Vienna!”
EASD/EASO Joint Symposium
Chairs: Tina Vilsbøll (Denmark), Barbara McGowan (UK)
- Sara Suliman (UAE): Pregnancy
- Julie Tonsgaard Kloppenborg (Denmark): Type 1 Diabetes, obesity and children
- Luke Boyle (UK): Older age
To learn more about the EASO, go to: https://easo.org/
Author: Hanna Gabriel, BA MSc. Any opinions expressed in this article are the responsibility of EASD e-Learning.