ISSN 1758-1907 Diabetes Manag(2019) 11(6), 230–242 230 RESEARCH ARTICLE Diabetes Management Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Paths (DTAP) for type 1 Diabetes mellitus: Summary of the Document of the Italian association Medici Diabetologic scientifc society GL Penna 1* , A Girelli 2 , F Bertuzzi 3 , R Celleno 4 , M Scavini 5 , P Tripodi 6 , M Zanon 7 , R Stara8 & P Bartolo 9 ABSTRACT Young age onset and long-life expectancy of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) people make it essential to achieve an early, stable and optimal glycemic control to prevent chronic complications and ensure good quality of life. These goals can only be achieved by having a healthcare organization that guarantees patient equity of access, quality and continuity of care, with an appropriate use of resources. To make the treatment organization efcient and appropriate, various health systems have implemented Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Paths (DTAP). DTAPs aim to share decision- making processes and healthcare organization for specifc groups of patients on the basis of existing guidelines and in relation to the available resources, during a well-defned period of time. In Italy, the Italian Association of Diabetologists (AMD) scientifc society, in association with Association of Pediatric Endocrinologists and Diabetologists (SIEDP), and voluntary diabetes associations (i.e. Diabetes Italia) developed a national DTAP for T1DM. Five DTAP models were defned, focusing on 5 diferent disease stages or treatment process: onset of illness or frst referral from another diabetes clinic, routine visit in good metabolic control, uncontrolled hyperglycemia, advanced technologies, transition from pediatric to adult diabetes clinic. Objectives, healthcare professionals involved, visits organization, and educational contents for each of these PDTAs are detailed in the core document. This DTAP will be disseminated through the AMD regional referents to the Regional Healthcare Systems. Each Region will be asked to implement the DTAP through multi-professional working groups, with the participation of regional AMD referents and representatives of Patient Associations. The DTAP efectiveness will be evaluated using an indicators’ system every year. 1 UOC Endocrinologia e Malate del Metabolismo ASL di Pescara, Ospedale Santo Spirito, Pescara, Italy 2 UO Medicina Indirizzo Metabolico e Diabetologico, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy 3 Department of Diabetology, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy 4 Diabetologia e Endocrinologia Distreto del Perugino, USL Umbria 1, Perugia, Italy 5 UO di Medicina Generale a Indirizzo Diabetologico e Endocrino-Metabolico, San Rafaele Scientfc Insttute, Milan, Italy 6 UOC Medicina Interna, ASP 5 Messina e PO Lipari, Messina, Italy 7 UOSD di Diabetologia, AULSS 4 Veneto Orientale, San Donà di Piave, Italy 8 Diabetes Clinic Italia and Associaton, Italy 9 AUSL Romagna, Ravenna Diabetes Clinic, Ravenna, Italy Introduction Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in pediatric age. Diferent national studies and reports consistently documented an increase in its incidence during the last 30 years worldwide and in Italy [1-4]. According to the T1DM Register (RIDI) [3-4], during the period 1990-2003, the incidence rate of T1DM in Italy was 12.26 per 100,000 person-