IMMUNOMETABOLIC CORRELATIONS OF AUTOANTIBODIES IN LATENT AUTOIMMUNE DIABETES IN ADULTS PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) presents as a hybrid of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, often leading to initial misdiagnosis.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the interplay of immunological, anthropometric, and clinical factors in LADA, particularly within Sudanese populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of LADA among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
• To investigate the associations between autoantibodies (GADA, IA-2A), C-peptide levels, anthropometric measurements, and clinical characteristics in LADA patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional comparative study involving 250 type 2 diabetes patients (150 on insulin, 100 not on insulin) was conducted.
• Data on demographics, clinical history, and lifestyle were collected via structured interviews.
• Serum levels of C-peptide, GADA, and IA-2A were quantified using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of LADA was found to be 10.7%.
• Patients with LADA exhibited significantly lower mean C-peptide levels compared to non-LADA patients.
• Negative correlations were observed between C-peptide and GADA levels, and inverted correlations between autoantibody titers and BMI, waist circumference, and weight, indicating a link between autoimmune activity and leaner phenotypes with reduced beta-cell function.

Conclusions:

• LADA is frequently under-recognized, with a prevalence of 10.7% in this cohort.
• Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) serve as a significant early diagnostic marker for LADA.
• The strong associations between LADA, C-peptide levels, and anthropometric indices highlight its distinct autoimmune-metabolic profile.