Prevalence of (Lada) among Clinically Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Identification of LADA represents a major interest for many diabetologists, because its prevalence is relatively high and seems to be underestimated. Also, correct diagnosis of LADA patients allows an early and accurate therapeutic intervention.
The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) among group of clinically diagnosed type2 diabetic patients.
Seventy four type 2 diabetic patients were tested for the presence of autoantibodies ICA, GAD, IA-2. All patients were also characterized according to clinical symptoms preceeding the onset of the disease, age, BMI. ICA were measured by indirect immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of human pancreas of blood group O. GADab and IA-2ab were measured by ELISA assay.
The presence of at least one autoantibody was revealed in 14/74 patients. That allowed us to recognize LADA in these cases. The coexistence of two antibodies was observed in 3/14 patients. None of the patients had three examined autoantibodies. GADab were detected more frequently (12/14) than GADab and IA-2ab, which were found with the same frequency (2/14) (P < 0.004).
Among patients with diagnosed type2 diabetes there is a group with autoimmune diabetes, called LADA. Phenotype similarity between diabetes type 2 and LADA makes the proper diagnosis impossible without more specific tests. The diagnosis of LADA is based on the presence of autoantibodies.