Type 1 diabetes in patients over 50: clinical and biological characteristics

Ghachem Aycha; Imen Halloul; Hadj Slama Nassim Ben; Lamys Abbes; Ghada Saad; Yosra Hasni

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.EP504

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 EP504 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.EP504

ECEESPE2025 ePoster Presentations Diabetes and Insulin (245 abstracts)

Type 1 diabetes in patients over 50: clinical and biological characteristics

Ghachem Aycha ¹ , Imen Halloul ¹ , Nassim Ben Hadj Slama ¹ , Lamys Abbes ¹ , Ghada Saad ¹ & Yosra Hasni ¹

Author affiliations

¹Farhat Hached University Hospital, Endocrinology - Diabetology Departement, Sousse, Tunisia

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Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and biological characteristics of patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after the age of 50.

Patients and methods: This was a descriptive study including 10 patients hospitalized in our department for diabetes mellitus.

Results: 10 patients were included: 7 women and 3 men, aged between 52 and 71 years with an average age of 64.1 years. The mode of onset of diabetes was ketosis or ketoacidosis decompensation in 6 patients, incidental in 3 patients and hyperosmolar decompensation in one patient. Six out of 10 patients had no family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and only 4 had a history of autoimmunity. Five patients had hypertension, including 2 with coronary artery disease, and 3 patients had autoimmune disease. The mean weight at diagnosis was 65.9 kg (42 - 103) with a mean BMI of 25.3 kg/m². Only three patients were obese. The mean HbA1c was 12.4%. Immunological tests revealed positive anti-GAD antibodies in 9 patients and positive anti-IA2 antibodies in one patient. Regarding degenerative complications, 2 patients had diabetic retinopathy, one of whom had associated nephropathy.

Discussion: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in adults is increasing because of the widespread use of immunoassays; where the clinical presentation and the family history may cast doubt, these help to rectify the diagnosis.