Resumen
Contexto: la diabetes autoinmune latente del adulto (LADA) es una forma de diabetes con características clínicas, inmunológicas y fisiopatológicas que se superponen entre la diabetes tipo 1 y tipo 2. Su diagnóstico suele retrasarse o confundirse con la diabetes tipo 2, lo que puede afectar negativamente el manejo y pronóstico del paciente.
Objetivo: describir los criterios diagnósticos, los fenotipos clínicos, las complicaciones asociadas y las opciones terapéuticas actuales en pacientes con LADA.
Metodología: se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa basada en la recopilación no sistemática de la literatura científica disponible. Se consultaron bases de datos como PubMed y Scopus, seleccionando estudios observacionales, ensayos clínicos, revisiones y consensos de expertos relevantes. Se incluyeron artículos en inglés y español, sin aplicar otros criterios formales de inclusión ni evaluación metodológica.
Resultados: se analizaron los criterios diagnósticos propuestos para LADA, los fenotipos clínicos según títulos de autoanticuerpos, y su asociación con características metabólicas y autoinmunes. Asimismo, se revisaron las complicaciones microvasculares y macrovasculares y se expusieron las estrategias terapéuticas actuales dirigidas a preservar la función de las células beta.
Conclusiones: la diabetes autoinmune latente del adulto es una entidad subdiagnosticada que requiere sospecha clínica y la medición de autoanticuerpos en adultos con diagnóstico reciente de diabetes. Su identificación oportuna permite evitar tratamientos inadecuados y facilita intervenciones que podrían preservar la función pancreática y mejorar los desenlaces a largo plazo.
Citas
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