ABSTRACT
This chapter will attempt to bring together the many diverse strands
of research into ‘brittleness’ in type 1 diabetes. Our aim is to give a
reasonably objective overview of the current status of the condition
in terms of definition, prevalence and characteristics, aetiology and
outcome. We will also explore the status of brittleness as an extreme
end of a spectrum which merges into the vast number of imperfectly
controlled and ‘unstable’ patients with type 1 diabetes.
