Randomized Controlled Trial of Insulin Versus Tablets for Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)

Summary

Background: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults \[LADA\] is a type 1 diabetes that is slowly developing. This means many people are treated as having type 2 diabetes at diagnosis as they are adults who are not immediately insulin dependent. LADA can be distinguished from type 2 diabetes by antibody tests. Patients who are antibody positive have an autoimmune reaction which is similar to that of type 1 diabetes and is not found in type 2 diabetes. We would like to examine the best way of treating LADA in the early phase of the conditions, with tablets (similar to type 2 diabetes) or with insulin (similar to type 1 diabetes).

Methods/Design: This is an open parallel group prospective randomised trial. Participants need to have a GAD antibody test results of 101 WHO units or more and a diagnosis of diabetes not requiring insulin at diagnosis. Participants will need to have been diagnosed within 12 months and not treated with insulin at study entry. They will be randomised to receive either insulin (NovoMix 30) or tablets (diet treated followed by metformin followed by glitazone (with or without metformin) followed by insulin). Primary outcome assessment will be for change in HbA1c and change in fasting C-peptide over 24 months. Secondary outcome measures will include Quality of life, GAD antibody levels, adverse events, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, and markers of the metabolic syndrome.

Discussion: This study seeks the best treatment for early LADA in terms of maintaining glycaemic control and maintaining natural insulin production.

Conditions

• Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults LADA

Interventions

DRUG

NovoMix 30

Insulin arm: Patients will be given advice on diet and exercise and life style and will be started on NovoMix 30, one dose of 6 U at the evening/main meal. Dose will be adjusted in increments of 2-6U depending on fasting glucose level When total dose equals 16 U patient will be started on 4 units with breakfast and continue with 16 units with evening meal. Breakfast and/or evening meal dose will be adjusted where necessary at increments of 2-6 U depending on fasting and/or pre-evening meal glucose level. Patient needs to keep a daily diary of insulin doses taken.

DRUG

Tablet treatment

Step 1: Lifestyle modification. If HbA1c at 7%+ or if on metformin/sulphonylurea go to step 2. Step 2: Glucophage. If HbA1c of 7%-7.5% give 500mg x 1 per day. If HbA1c 7.6%-8.0%, week 1 - 500mg x 1 day and then 500mg x 2 day. If HbA1c 8.0%+ then 500mg x 3 per day (Titrated). If HbA1c remains 7%+ give additional tablet until 2gms per day then progress to Step 3. Step 3: Rosiglitazone. HbA1c of 7%+ give 4 mg per day. If HbA1c remains 7%+ titrate to maximal dose 4 mg twice daily +/-Metformin. If HbA1c remains 7% + for an 3 months move to step 4. Before initiation of Rosiglitazone repeat medical history with special emphasis on cardiovascular disease, if patient has a history of CVD move to Step 4 (insulin). Any adverse events suggestive of heart disease move to step 4. Step 4: Insulin (oral agents will be stopped). Initiation of insulin will the same as for the insulin arm and will follow the protocol detailed in the Insulin arm.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Novo Nordisk A/S

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Sinead Brophy · Swansea University

• Stephen Bain · Swansea University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-04-30

Primary Completion

2011-04-30

Completion

2011-04-30

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations