Islet autoimmunity in young First Nations women with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aims: Type 1 diabetes in First Nations peoples is low yet type 2 diabetes is at epidemic proportions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of islet autoimmunity in First Nations women with dysglycaemia and its association with clinical features. Methods: One hundred and eighty First Nations women with prediabetes (n = 51) or type 2 diabetes (n = 129) were screened for any of GAD, IA-2 and ZnT8 autoantibodies using 3Screen ELISA, then ELISA for individual autoantibodies for positive screens. Associations between individual antibody positivity and clinical and metabolic characteristics were assessed. Results: Of the 180 women, 16% were positive on 3Screen, comprising 10/51 with prediab..