Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA): The Prevalent Form of Adult-Onset Autoimmune Diabetes in a Region of India

Aims: We undertook a study to investigate the prevalence and general characteristics of patients with Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Methods: This was a cross-sectional investigation conducted in the National Capital Region of India. Total of 139 subjects were recruited in the study. All subjects were screened for Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADA). GADA was analysed using ELISA kits with 98% specificity and 92% sensitivity. Results: The prevalence of LADA was 6.5% (6.3% in men and 6.8% in women); 95% Confidence interval (CI): 3.29 12.0% among adult-onset diabetic patients. Prevalence of LADA seemed to gradually decline with increasing age. LADA (n=9) and DM2 (n=130) patients were compared. LADA patients were younger (p = 0.045), had lower age at onset of diabetes (p = 0.025), waist circumference (p = 0.021). LADA patients had also longer duration of diabetes (p = 0.045). There was no significant difference in BMI between two groups. Conclusions: Our results indicate that LADA represents 6.5 % of cases among adult-onset diabetes in a region of north India. LADA is a prevalent form of adult-onset autoimmune diabetes and not rare. This study shows different phenotypic features of LADA patients compared to DM2 patients. In the developing world, sometimes routine antibody testing may be considered not to be cost-effective. Thus, clinical and phenotypic features of LADA may help clinicians recognize patients for potential antibody screening.