Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults: A Diagnostic Challenge in Elderly Patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition with several subtypes that differ in etiology and clinical progression. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is the most commonly diagnosed form and is closely linked to obesity and physical inactivity, while type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is largely autoimmune in origin. A less understood subtype, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), shares characteristics of both T2DM and T1DM and is often misdiagnosed as T2DM. This article presents three clinical cases of elderly patients misdiagnosed with T2DM, but who actually had LADA, highlighting the challenges associated with its early identification and the importance of more accurate diagnostic approaches.