Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) describes a subgroup of patients who develop phenotypic type 2 diabetes but with markers of autoimmunity. 1.5% to 14.2% of LADA patients show the phenotypic type 2 diabetes depending on ethnicity. It is the most common form of autoimmune diabetes diagnosed in adults, with 3.3- to 12.2-fold higher prevalence than that of adult-onset type 1 diabetes. LADA has the common, but not identical, features of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by autoimmune and slowly progressive damage in islet ß cells. It is under debate whether LADA is a subtype of type 1 diabetes or a unique disease. In 1999 WHO classification of diabetes mellitus, LADA was attributed to a slowly progressive subtype of immune-mediated type 1 diabetes according to etiology. However, this type of diabetes was classified as hybrid forms of diabetes, which was not a subtype of type 1 diabetes, in the latest 2019 WHO classification of diabetes mellitus. As an important form of diabetes, LADA should be recognized, understood, and managed appropriately in clinical practice. Although our understanding of this form of diabetes is steadily increasing, it is still a long and tortuous road to fully understand the disease.
The definition of LADA remains controversial and the diagnostic criteria is still in debate. This Research Topic aims to provide insights into several facets of clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of its heterogeneity that can be used to better understand and define LADA.
We welcome submissions of Original Research and Review on the sub-topics below:
- epidemiology
- genetic and epigenetic characteristics
- immunological characteristics
- clinical manifestation including metabolic characteristics, chronic complications, and concomitant diseases
- diagnosis and typing for LADA including any studies about islet autoantibodies and islet autoimmune T cells
- treatment including drug intervention trial, immunomodulatory therapy, such as GAD vaccine
- management including blood glucose management, consensus statement, or follow-up management
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) describes a subgroup of patients who develop phenotypic type 2 diabetes but with markers of autoimmunity. 1.5% to 14.2% of LADA patients show the phenotypic type 2 diabetes depending on ethnicity. It is the most common form of autoimmune diabetes diagnosed in adults, with 3.3- to 12.2-fold higher prevalence than that of adult-onset type 1 diabetes. LADA has the common, but not identical, features of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by autoimmune and slowly progressive damage in islet ß cells. It is under debate whether LADA is a subtype of type 1 diabetes or a unique disease. In 1999 WHO classification of diabetes mellitus, LADA was attributed to a slowly progressive subtype of immune-mediated type 1 diabetes according to etiology. However, this type of diabetes was classified as hybrid forms of diabetes, which was not a subtype of type 1 diabetes, in the latest 2019 WHO classification of diabetes mellitus. As an important form of diabetes, LADA should be recognized, understood, and managed appropriately in clinical practice. Although our understanding of this form of diabetes is steadily increasing, it is still a long and tortuous road to fully understand the disease.
The definition of LADA remains controversial and the diagnostic criteria is still in debate. This Research Topic aims to provide insights into several facets of clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of its heterogeneity that can be used to better understand and define LADA.
We welcome submissions of Original Research and Review on the sub-topics below:
- epidemiology
- genetic and epigenetic characteristics
- immunological characteristics
- clinical manifestation including metabolic characteristics, chronic complications, and concomitant diseases
- diagnosis and typing for LADA including any studies about islet autoantibodies and islet autoimmune T cells
- treatment including drug intervention trial, immunomodulatory therapy, such as GAD vaccine
- management including blood glucose management, consensus statement, or follow-up management
