Annals of Clinical Biochemistry > Volume 44, Number 4 > Pp. 321-323

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fielding, A. M Articles by Williams, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Personal View

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: increased awareness will aid diagnosis

Andrew M Fielding, Sinead Brophy, Helen Davies and Rhys Williams

Department of Chemical Pathology, Swansea NHS Trust, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK; School of Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK; School of Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK; School of Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK

Latent autoimmune diabetes iln adults (LADA) is the term used for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes who progress to insulin dependency as their pancreatic secretion of insulin fails. Diagnosis is based on adult age at the time of diabetes, the presence of serum autoantibodies to pancreatic antigens and the absence of a requirement for insulin at diagnosis. High titres of serum glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies act as a marker for LADA. Serum C-peptide concentrations are also lower in autoimmune diabetic patients. The best treatment for patients with LADA is not clear, but early insulin treatment may prevent pancreatic β-cell failure.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?