Bart's-Oxford (BOX) family study

The Bart’s Oxford (BOX) family study of childhood type 1 diabetes recruited participants for 40 years. Established in 1985 at Bart’s Hospital in London, the study enrolled children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their families living within the former Oxfordshire Health Authority region.

The BOX study is the longest‑running family study of diabetes in the world. Over multiple generations, it has provided unique insights into the natural history of type 1 diabetes. Researchers have developed and refined tests to detect early changes in the immune system, which have greatly improving our understanding of how type 1 diabetes develops. In particular, the study showed that children with two or more islet autoantibodies are at significantly increased risk of developing the condition.

We would like to sincerely thank all participants for their generous and invaluable contribution to type 1 diabetes research.