The prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults and its correlates in patients with type 2 diabetes in Kerman, Iran [2011]

IntroductionLatent autoimmune diabetes in adults [LADA] is a type of autoimmune diabetes in adults that is usually identified by positive GAD-antibody [glutamic acid decarboxylase]. Epidemiological studies show that this disease has no identified prevalence and incidence in Asia due to the various criteria in diagnosing the disease.Methods500 patients with type 2 diabetes based on American Diabetes Association [ADA] criteria and age of diabetes onset above 35 years old who needed no insulin until at least 6 months after the diagnosis of diabetes were selected from KERCADR Study and their anti-GAD serum level was determined.ResultsFrom 500 patients, 429 ones [85%] were negative and 71 ones [14.2%] were positive for GAD antibody. The prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes was higher in the age group of 50–59 years compared to the other age groups. There was no significant correlation between LADA and hypertension, family history of diabetes, cigarette smoking and tobacco use.ConclusionThe prevalence rate of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults in patients with type 2 diabetes was 14.2% and we could not find any relationship.