J Korean Diabetes Assoc.  2004 Apr;28(2):66-74.

Frequency of Anti-GAD Antibody in Non-obese, Adult-onset Type 2 Diabetes in Korea and Clinical and Biological Characteristics According to Anti-GAD Antibody

• Kim CS
• Park J
• Cho MH
• Park JS
• Nam JY
• Kim DM
• Ahn CW
• Cha BS
• Lim SK
• Kim KR
• Lee HC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some of the characteristic features of diabetes mellitus in Korea are that 70-80% of patients are non-obese or adult-onset type, and type 1 diabetes is very rare. Occasionally, autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD) are found in typical, type 2 diabetes mellitus patients(T2DM). The role of the autoantibody to GAD in T2DM is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and biochemical characteristics between GAD-positive and GAD-negative non-obese, adult-onset diabetics in Korea.
METHODS
A cohort of 428 type 2 diabetes patients was included. The measured autoantibodies to GAD were measured, and the C-peptide and HbA1c levels, anthropometric data(weight, height, body mass index and waist circumference), blood pressure and lipid profiles compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Compared to the antibody-negative group(n=374; 87.4%), patients with the anti-GAD antibody(n=54; 12.6%) had significantly lower C-peptide levels and were significantly younger. The anti GAD-positive group had a lower BMI, more frequently needed insulin supplements, and a lower prevalence of hypertension. There were no significant differences in gender and family history of diabetes between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The presence of the autoantibody to GAD allowed the group with more deteriorated beta-cell function and more frequent need for insulin supplements, but a lower prevalence of obesity and hypertension to be determined.

Keyword

Alcohol drinking problems; Diabetes self-care; Male diabetics

MeSH Terms

Autoantibodies
Blood Pressure
Body Height
C-Peptide
Cohort Studies
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Glutamic Acid
Humans
Hypertension
Insulin
Korea*
Obesity
Population Characteristics*
Prevalence
Autoantibodies
C-Peptide
Glutamic Acid
Insulin