New Drugs Show Promise for Lada Type Diabetes
If you suffer from “Lada” type diabetes, you may be wondering if the new drugs, such as those in the form of a weekly injection, are suitable for your condition. Marco Comoglio, a diabetologist from the Association of Diabetologists, has some answers for you.
“Lada” diabetes, also known as latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, is a slowly progressive autoimmune form of diabetes. It affects approximately 5% of adults in Italy who have previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lada begins in adulthood, typically after the age of 30, and is characterized by a deterioration of beta-cell function due to progressive damage to the pancreas induced by autoantibodies. This slow progression means that insulin treatment is not initially required, unlike in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
To diagnose Lada, the presence of autoantibodies, such as GADA, IA-2A, ZnT8A, and IAA, is determined, along with the evaluation of beta-cell functionality. The first step in therapy is a correct lifestyle with aerobic physical activity and a Mediterranean diet.
When it comes to drug therapy, insulin is the preferred treatment, even at low doses. However, new drugs like DPP IV, GLP1-RA, and SGLT2i have shown effectiveness and could be good therapeutic options for Lada. In particular, the drug dulaglutide, which is administered as a weekly injection, has shown promising results in reducing HbA1c levels and increasing beta-cell function in Lada patients.
While these new drugs show potential for treating Lada type diabetes, further large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm their efficacy in preserving metabolic control and delaying progression to insulin dependence.
If you have Lada type diabetes, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment options for your condition.