Latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus and its characteristics amongst adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a single diabetes center in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: To estimate the frequency and characteristics of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a single diabetes center in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross?sectional study involving patients with T2DM aged 30–70 years with a disease duration of ?5 years, and who had not received insulin for at least 6 months post?T2DM diagnosis. Demographics, anthropometrics, utoantibodies to Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Autoantibodies (GADA) and islet cell antibodies (ICA), serum C?peptide, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and lipid data were collected. LADA was diagnosed according to GADA and/or ICA positivity. Participants were classified into two groups: LADA and non?LADA. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of both groups were compared.

Results: A total of 157 participants (mean age 50 years, 52.9% male) were enrolled, with 30 (19.1%) testing positive for GADA and/or ICA. Among them, 16 (10.2%) were positive for GADA alone, 9 (5.7%) tested positive for ICA alone, and 5 (3.2%) tested positive for both GADA and ICA. GADA was significantly more prevalent in younger individuals (30–49 years, P = 0.02) and males, who also had higher rates of dual autoantibodies compared to females (P = 0.03). LADA patients had a significantly shorter duration of diabetes, along with lower body mass index, C?peptide, and triglyceride levels, but exhibited higher HbA1c and greater insulin use.

Conclusion: The study reveals a high rate of LADA within this cohort of Saudi patients diagnosed with T2DM. LADA patients display some clinical and biochemical characteristics that set them apart from conventional T2DM cases. Screening for ??cell autoantibodies in individuals with these features could aid in earlier diagnosis of LADA and allow for more tailored treatment approaches.