Predictive Value of GAD Antibody for Diabetes in Normal Chinese Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study in China

• Main Authors: Li J, Lin S, Deng C, Xu T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-03-01
• Series: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity : Targets and Therapy
• Subjects: autoimmune diabetes; glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody; latent autoimmune diabetes in adults; obesity; prevention
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/predictive-value-of-gad-antibody-for-diabetes-in-normal-chinese-adults-peer-reviewed-article-DMSO

Jing Li,1 Songbai Lin,1 Chuiwen Deng,2 Tengda Xu1 1Department of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Rheumatology and Immunology Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Tengda XuDepartment of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 1# Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: To investigate the prevalence of GAD antibody (GADA) in the general adult population and to evaluate its predictive value for diabetes in China.Patients and Methods: We searched the PUMCH-HM database and identified 36,731 adult subjects with GADA test results from 2012 to 2015. We then established a retrospective cohort of 4835 nondiabetic subjects at baseline with complete annual health evaluation records through 2019. The median follow-up time was 4.8 (3.0– 7.3) years.Results: The overall prevalence of GADA was 0.53% and was higher in diabetic subjects (1.25%) than in nondiabetic subjects (0.47%). We found a decrease in baseline body mass index (BMI) from the GADA- to GADAhigh subgroups among baseline diabetic and prediabetic patients and also those who developed diabetes later in the cohort study. A total of 136 subjects (2.8%) developed diabetes after a median follow-up of 3.5 years. For GADA+ participants, BMI was not associated with the risk for diabetes. In the Cox regression model, the GADAlow and GADAhigh exhibited 2.63-fold and 4.16-fold increased risk for diabetes, respectively. This increased risk for diabetes by GADA-positivity is only found in male adults (HR 4.55, 95% CI 2.25– 9.23).Conclusion: GADA has a low prevalence in China but is associated with a 2.63– 4.16-fold increased risk for diabetes.Keywords: autoimmune diabetes, glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, obesity, prevention