Slowly progressive type 1 diabetes treated with metformin for five years after onset

A 52-year-old man was diagnosed with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes (SPIDDM). We expected him to quickly progress to an insulin-dependent state due to a high anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody titer (23.9 U/mL). At SPIDDM diagnosis, he was in a non-insulin-dependent state, with a fasting serum C-peptide immunoreactivity level of 2.5 ng/mL. Therefore, we prescribed metformin. His glycemic control remained stable, and his intrinsic insulin secretion capacity was maintained for five years. Although one case is insufficient to draw firm conclusions, this report suggests that metformin is a therapeutic choice for SPIDDM when the insulin secretion capacity is maintained.