Mette K Andersen1. 1. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark. metteandersen@sund.ku.dk.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetes is a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). However, it has been questioned whether LADA exists or simply is a group of misclassified type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. This review will provide an updated overview of the genetics of LADA, highlight what genetics tell us about LADA as a diabetes subtype, and point to future directions in the study of LADA. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have verified the genetic overlap between LADA and both T1D and T2D and have contributed identification of a novel LADA-specific locus, namely, PFKFB3, and subtype-specific signatures in the HLA region. Genetic risk scores comprising T1D-risk variants have been shown to be a promising tool for discriminating diabetes subtypes and identifying patients rapidly progressing to insulin dependence. Genetic data support the existence of LADA, but further studies are needed to fully determine the place of LADA in the diabetes spectrum.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetes is a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). However, it has been questioned whether LADA exists or simply is a group of misclassified type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. This review will provide an updated overview of the genetics of LADA, highlight what genetics tell us about LADA as a diabetes subtype, and point to future directions in the study of LADA. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have verified the genetic overlap between LADA and both T1D and T2D and have contributed identification of a novel LADA-specific locus, namely, PFKFB3, and subtype-specific signatures in the HLA region. Genetic risk scores comprising T1D-risk variants have been shown to be a promising tool for discriminating diabetes subtypes and identifying patients rapidly progressing to insulin dependence. Genetic data support the existence of LADA, but further studies are needed to fully determine the place of LADA in the diabetes spectrum.
Authors: Josefin E Löfvenborg; Sofia Carlsson; Tomas Andersson; Christiane S Hampe; Albert Koulman; María Dolores Chirlaque Lopez; Paula Jakszyn; Verena A Katzke; Tilman Kühn; Cecilie Kyrø; Giovanna Masala; Peter M Nilsson; Kim Overvad; Salvatore Panico; Maria-Jose Sánchez; Yvonne van der Schouw; Matthias B Schulze; Anne Tjønneland; Elisabete Weiderpass; Elio Riboli; Nita G Forouhi; Stephen J Sharp; Olov Rolandsson; Nicholas J Wareham Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2020-12-10 Impact factor: 19.112