Prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) in Southern Spain.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and islet autoantibodies in an adult population from Southern Spain.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study in Southern Spain of 1226 people, age 18-65 years. Clinical data were obtained and a blood sample taken to measure autoantibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAb), tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA2Ab), and insulin antibodies (IAA)). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also given to 982 of the subjects.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus according to the WHO 1979 criteria was 10.9% and according to the ADA 1997 criteria it was 14.7% (8.8% were unaware of their diabetes). The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was 12.4% and of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) 11.5%. The prevalence of GADAb+ in the general population was 0.9% and in the diabetic population 3.7%. There were no significant differences between groups in the prevalence of IA2Ab or IAA (both were 0.8% in the general population). Of the three autoantibodies studied, only GADAb were significantly different in the diabetic population (P=0.0006).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and LADA are high in the south of Spain.
Soriguer-Escofet
Federico
F
Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital Civil, Carlos Haya Hospital Complex, Malaga 29018, Spain. soriguer@arrakis.es
Esteva
Isabel
I
Rojo-Martinez
Gemma
G
Ruiz de Adana
Soledad
S
Catalá
Marieta
M
Merelo
M José
MJ
Aguilar
Manuel
M
Tinahones
Francisco
F
García-Almeida
José M
JM
Gómez-Zumaquero
Juan M
JM
Cuesta-Muñoz
Antonio L
AL
Ortego
José
J
Freire
José M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007330:Insulin Antibodies; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase