Autoantibody profiles and metabolic markers in type 1 diabetes among Kurdish individuals under 25 years: a cross-sectional study

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Screening the autoantibody profile helps in predicting, evaluating, and prognosing of Type 1 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the immunological investigation based on anti-GAD65, anti-insulin, anti-IA2, and anti-ZnT8 in T1D and to assess their association with clinical parameters and metabolic markers indicative of residual β-cell function. The current study included 82 patients with T1D, 41 (50%) males and 41 (50%) females under the age of 25, with the mean duration of disease of 5.951 ± 4.825. The analysis revealed an overall autoantibody seropositivity rate of 63.41% ( n = 52). Among seropositive individuals, anti-GAD65 antibodies were the most prevalent at 56.1% ( n = 46), followed by insulin antibodies (IAA/AIA), anti-IA2 antibodies and anti-ZnT8 at 18.29%, 15.85% and 9.75%, respectively. Additionally, 36.58% of individuals had one autoantibody, and 20.73% exhibited two autoantibodies, while 2.43% showed the presence of three and 3.65% four autoantibodies. Our findings illustrate significant differences between the seropositive and seronegative groups regarding age, sex, personal, and family-related autoimmune disorders. No substantial variations were noted between the two groups for BMI and diabetic controls (fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c). Furthermore, anti-GAD had the longest average disease duration (7.18 ± 4.49 years).