A recent study published in Diabetes Care has spotlighted the need for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), a form of diabetes that often gets misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
Conducted by researchers from the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, and the Universities of Lund and Helsinki, the study reveals that LADA patients are at a higher risk for certain complications such as retinopathy and poorer glucose control compared to those with Type 2 diabetes.
What is LADA?
LADA is an autoimmune form of diabetes similar to Type 1 diabetes, with antibodies that attack insulin-producing cells. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, however, it develops in adulthood and progresses more slowly.
Because it shares features with Type 2 diabetes, there is a risk of misdiagnosis, leading to inadequate treatment. Estimates suggest that 5% to 10% of people initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes actually have LADA.
Key Findings
High Risk of Complications: The study found that LADA patients have a similar risk of developing cardiovascular diseases as those with Type 2 diabetes but are at a higher risk of developing retinopathy.
Poorer Glucose Control: LADA patients generally had worse glucose control than their Type 2 counterparts, particularly those with high levels of the antibody GADA (glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody).
Lack of Treatment: A significant portion of LADA individuals did not receive any glucose-lowering treatment.
Importance of Accurate Diagnosis and Monitoring
“Our results emphasize the importance of diagnosing LADA correctly and careful monitoring of glucose control in these individuals,” say Yuxia Wei, Ph.D. student, and Sofia Carlsson, senior lecturer, IMM.
Correct diagnosis and tailored treatment can significantly reduce the risk of complications for LADA patients.
Recommendations
Given the distinct risks associated with LADA, the study recommends:
Thorough Antibody Testing: Proper testing for antibodies should be conducted in adults diagnosed with diabetes to distinguish between Type 2 and LADA.
Intensive Monitoring and Treatment: Particularly, LADA patients with high GADA levels should be intensively monitored and treated for glucose control.
Patient Education: Awareness about LADA should be improved to ensure individuals seek appropriate medical advice.
The study, which followed over 4,000 individuals with diabetes, including 550 with LADA, for up to 12 years, is the most comprehensive to date on the risks of complications in LADA.
The results underline the crucial need for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment plans to manage and reduce the risks associated with this form of diabetes.
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The study was published in Diabetes Care.
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