Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of auto-antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD-antibodies] and pancreatic islet cells [IC-antibodies] in relation to beta-cell function in adults newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus [n = 40] and control subjects [n = 20] using the standard oral glucose test procedure. Beta-cell function was evaluated by the true insulin response to oral glucose test. Patients were classified into insulin-deficients and non-insulin-deficients on the basis of the normal insulin curve and the sum of the 30 and 60 min incremental response [normal 340-2440 pmol/L]. The prevalence of GAD antibodies and ICA was determined using kits of radioimmunoassay procedure. In adults presenting with diabetes mellitus as a new diagnosis, the early assessment of beta- cell function can discover a subgroup of subjects with adult-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Nearly 15% of adults presenting with diabetes mellitus as a new diagnosis were insulin-deficient using this criterion. On the other hand, loss of beta-cell function in more than 85% of individuals who were insulin-deficient can be identified by anti-GAD and ICA and the early detection of these immune markers of beta-cell damage creates the potential for immune modulation to limit such damage