Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults in Latakia, Syria

This study aimed at assessing the frequency of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) and its laboratory and clinical characteristics at the Diabetic Center of Latakia, Syria. Materials and Methods: Based on glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies positivity, a population of 254 type 2 diabetic males and females, aged 35 to 75 years, were subdivided and studied in terms of the laboratory and clinical characteristics. Results: Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADAs) were positive (GADA+) in 45 diabetic patients versus 209 type 2 diabetics with GADA negative (GADA-). In both subgroups, GADA+ and GADA-, no significant differences were observed in terms of anthropometric and clinical features except for body mass index (BMI) which was significantly lower in GADA+ subgroup (27.6±4.8 vs. 29.8±5.9; P= 0.02). Significant poor glycemic control was detected in terms of fasting blood sugar (FBS) (221.6±77.9 vs 182±66.7; P=0.001), glucosuria (60% vs. 41.6%; P=0.025), and ketonuria (22.2% vs. 3.8%; P<0.0001) in LADA patients (GADA+) versus type 2 diabetic patients (GADA-). By subdividing the studied sample into tertiles of type 2 diabetes, GADA- <5 IU/ml , GADA+ ≤50 IU/ml, and GADA+ >50 IU/ml, the tertile with high GADA titers (>50 IU/ml) presented significantly low BMI (P=0.012) and c-peptide levels (P<0.002) in comparison with type 2 and GADA≤ 50 IU/ml tertiles. Conclusion: Overall the prevalence of LADA was 17.7% in the type 2 diabetics studied. LADA patients showed similar laboratory and clinical features as type 2 diabetics, except for low BMI levels and poor glycemic control.