Comparison of Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics Between Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes and Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults

Although they do not initially require insulin, diabetic adults presenting autoantibodies against β-cells (anti-GAD antibody [GADA] and anti–islet cell antibody [ICA]) more rapidly develop the need for insulinization, a fact characterizing latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) (1,2). Differences between LADA and type 2 diabetes (3–6) and between children and adults with type 1 diabetes (7) have been reported. In contrast, few studies are available comparing type 1 diabetes diagnosed during adulthood with LADA, with the results not being consistent (4,5,8). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with LADA compared with patients with adult-onset type 1 diabetes. Among the diabetic adults (age at diagnosis >35 years) seen at our service and investigated with GADA upon diagnosis (no routine ICA analysis was performed) (2), 54 patients with LADA (individuals not requiring insulin for at least 1 year after diagnosis and positive for GADA) (1,2,4,5) and …