Latent autoimmune diabetes is best described as:

• A. Type 2 diabetes caused by obesity
• B. Gestational diabetes
• C. Addison's disease
• D. Type 1.5 diabetes where type 1 develops in adults

Answer: (D)

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is an autoimmune form of diabetes that begins in adulthood. It shares the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing beta cells seen in type 1 but progresses more slowly, so many people are initially misdiagnosed as type 2. Over time, beta-cell function declines and insulin therapy becomes necessary, which is why it’s often described as type 1.5 diabetes—type 1 developing in adults. It’s not obesity-related type 2 diabetes, not gestational diabetes, and not Addison’s disease.