Introduction: Individuals initially diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) may be positive for diabetes-associated autoantibodies (DAA+). The aim was to identify characteristics associated with DAA+ in a group of individuals with newly diagnosed DM, by comparing DAA+ individuals with their DAA-negative counterparts.
Methods: Cross sectional study of adults with DM. Data were collected on characteristics of 805 participants, including antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD65), insulinoma-associated antigen IA-2 (IA-2A). Associated factors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Participants (56.6% male) had a median age of 61 years (IQR: 55-69) and a HbA1c of 7.0% (IQR: 6.5-8.2). DAA+ subjects were 7.2% (95% CI: 5.4-9.0). The variables strongest associated with DAA+ were age <50 (OR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.05-5.18), absence of arterial hypertension (OR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.23-5.47), absence of hypercholesterolaemia (OR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.22-4.52) and no family history of type 2 DM (OR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.03-3.70). Conversely, for each 5 cm increase in waist circumference, the odds of DAA+ decrease a 17.8%.
Conclusions: The proportion of DM subjects who are DAA+ is higher than in counterpart countries. Age <50 years at diagnosis, absence of arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, and absence of a family history of type 2 DM would make autoimmune DM more likely.
P. Vich Pérez: None. B. Taulero-Escalera: None. M.A. Salinero fort: None.
This study has been funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project "PI19/01569" and co-funded by the European Union.
