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Published on: March 23, 2018
[Autoimmune insulin syndrome. The first Danish case report]
G Gregersen1, B Dinesen, O B Pedersen
1Esbjerg Centralsygehus, medicinsk afdeling.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|August 13, 1998
Summary
This case study reports the first instance of autoimmune insulin syndrome in Denmark. A patient with rheumatoid disease experienced hypoglycemia due to high levels of insulin autoantibodies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Autoimmune insulin syndrome (Hirata's disease) is a rare condition characterized by insulin autoantibodies.
- Systemic autoimmune diseases can sometimes be associated with the development of autoantibodies.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old female patient with a diagnosed rheumatoid systemic disease presented with recurrent episodes of postprandial hypoglycemia.
- Serum analysis revealed significantly elevated concentrations of autoimmune insulin antibodies.
Findings:
- The patient's clinical presentation and laboratory results were consistent with autoimmune insulin syndrome (Hirata's disease).
- The presence of high-titer insulin autoantibodies correlated with impaired glucose tolerance and hypoglycemic events.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering autoimmune insulin syndrome in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases presenting with unexplained hypoglycemia.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent severe hypoglycemic complications.
- This report expands the geographical data on autoimmune insulin syndrome, marking the first documented case in Denmark.
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