The DIABIMMUNE project is an international follow-up study, which studies the role of environmental factors in the development of autoimmune diseases. The study will be carried out in Finland, Estonia and Russia. The study design comprises two cohorts: a birth cohort and a cohort comprising of young children.
Goal
The study aims to test the hygiene hypothesis and explore its role in the development of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases such as allergies and asthma. One aim is also to define the mechanisms behind the potential protective effect conferred by microbial agents.
Contact persons
Suvi Virtanen
Research professor
suvi.virtanen [at] thl.fi
029 524 8729