New Diabetes Subtype Identified in Africa Challenges Global Assumptions

New Diabetes Subtype Identified in Africa Challenges Global Assumptions
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A major international study has discovered a new subtype of type 1 diabetes (T1D) prevalent among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, which differs from the classic autoimmune form, SciTech Daily reported. Unlike traditional T1D, this variant develops without the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells, as many patients lack islet autoantibodies—markers typically used to diagnose autoimmune T1D.

The study analyzed 894 individuals from Cameroon, Uganda, and South Africa, comparing them with similar age groups in the U.S. Results showed that 65% of African participants diagnosed with T1D had no islet autoantibodies, indicating a non-autoimmune form.

In the U.S., 15% of Black individuals with T1D also exhibited this subtype, while white Americans typically showed the autoimmune pattern. This suggests a possible genetic or ancestral link for this non-autoimmune T1D subtype among people of African descent. The findings, published in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, challenge existing assumptions about T1D and highlight the need for more precise diagnostic methods and tailored treatments for affected populations. This research could significantly improve diabetes care and outcomes across Africa and for individuals of African ancestry worldwide.