Evidence of islet cell autoimmunity in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

• DOI: 10.2337/diabetes.49.1.32
• Publication Date: 2007-03-06T19:04:22Z
• Authors: M Pietropaolo; E Barinas-Mitchell; S L Pietropaolo; L H Kuller; M Trucco
• Keywords: Prediabetes

In light of an occurring growth elderly people affected by type 2 diabetes and recent observations indicating that may be a disease the innate immune system, we evaluated whether signs islet cell autoimmunity are associated with abnormal glucose control, presence insulin requirement, or activation acute-phase response in older individuals diabetes. GAD65 IA-2 autoantibodies along markers fibrinogen C-reactive protein were tested 196 serum samples from patients 94 nondiabetic control subjects over age 65 years Pittsburgh cohort Cardiovascular Health Study. Of diabetic patients, 12% (24 196) had against and/or IA-2, prevalence significantly higher than found (1 94, 1.1%; P = 0.001). Type who positive for (Ab+), as compared those negative these (Ab-), oral tolerance test (OGTT) (P 0.03) before frequency hypoglycemic treatment 0.003) at time autoantibody testing. No differences seen percentage requirement two groups. Moreover, statistically significant increase 0.005) levels 0.025) was high Ab-patients subjects. conclusion, > =65 old, is impairment secretion, revealed OGTT. A pronounced response, to autoimmunity, part explain this defect secretion. These findings not only have direct implications adequate classification elderly, but also understanding autoimmune/inflammatory mechanisms involved pathogenesis hyperglycemia.