Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: increased awareness will aid diagnosis.
Latent autoimmune diabetes iln adults (LADA) is the term used for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes who progress to insulin dependency as their pancreatic secretion of insulin fails. Diagnosis is based on adult age at the time of diabetes, the presence of serum autoantibodies to pancreatic antigens and the absence of a requirement for insulin at diagnosis. High titres of serum glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies act as a marker for LADA. Serum C-peptide concentrations are also lower in autoimmune diabetic patients. The best treatment for patients with LADA is not clear, but early insulin treatment may prevent pancreatic beta-cell failure.
Fielding
Andrew M
AM
Department of Chemical Pathology, Swansea NHS Trust, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK.
Brophy
Sinead
S
Davies
Helen
H
Williams
Rhys
R
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans
D001323:Autoantibodies