Danish Bank Voles as a Model for Type 1 Diabetes
Author Information
Author(s): Schønecker Bryan, Freimanis Tonny, Sørensen Irene Vejgaard
Primary Institution: Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hypothesis
Can polydipsia in Danish bank voles be used as a non-invasive screening tool for hyperglycaemia and evaluate their survivorship and weight in relation to diabetes?
Conclusion
Danish bank voles can survive for a median of at least 91 days after the onset of polydipsia, and their weight does not differ from non-polydipsic voles.
Supporting Evidence
- Median survival after onset of polydipsia is at least 91 days.
- The development of polydipsia does not influence the weight of Danish bank voles.
- Polydipsia can be used as a non-invasive screening tool for hyperglycaemia with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 97%.
- Positive predictive value of the method is 89%.
- Negative predictive value of the method is also 89%.
Takeaway
This study shows that bank voles can live for a long time with diabetes and that measuring how much water they drink can help tell if they are sick without hurting them.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of data from two colonies of Danish bank voles to estimate survivorship after onset of polydipsia, evaluate weight differences, and assess the accuracy of polydipsia as a screening tool for hyperglycaemia.
Potential Biases
There may be biases related to the housing conditions and the selection criteria for voles included in the analysis.
Limitations
The study is limited by the retrospective nature of the data and potential biases in the selection of voles.
Participant Demographics
Danish bank voles from two separate colonies, with a total of 459 voles analyzed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
25/75 percentiles = 57/134 days
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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