Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device: An Unfortunate Outcome

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a slow-progressing form of autoimmune diabetes. A 44-year-old man with a four-year history of diabetes mellitus (DM), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder was admitted to the hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis. LADA was confirmed with positive GAD-65 antibody. His occupation involved random working days with several weeks off in between projects. During workdays, his insulin dosage required frequent adjustments due to lower blood glucose (BG) readings. Owing to the variable work schedule and constantly changing insulin needs, he was recommended a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Few days after starting on the CGM device, he was seen in the emergency department because of elevated BG. His home BG readings ranged from 80 to 408 mg/dL. He was getting frustrated with the fluctuating BG readings. At home, he remained agitated and endlessly checked his CGM device. After discharge, he would repeatedly call the endocrinology office with his BG readings with the insulin dose being adjusted accordingly. Few weeks later, the office received a call from his wife informing us that the patient had shot himself in the head. According to his wife, lately he had trouble sleeping, was very anxious, and often had panic attacks. He seemed to struggle with ever-fluctuating BG readings and was obsessed with incessantly changing numbers on his CGM device. Patients with Type 1 DM are at increased risk of mental health disorders and suicide forms a sizeable proportion of deaths in these patients. This case highlights the importance of mental health, especially underlying OCD as a prognostic factor in the management of diabetes with CGM devices.