ABSTRACT
Autoimmune diabetes (known as type 1A diabetes) is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by selective destruction of pancreatic β-cells resulting in gradual loss of insulin production. Annually, it affects more than 11,000 new cases in US alone and accounts for 5-10% of total diagnosed cases of diabetes (Devendra and Eisenbarth 2003). Though children and adolescents are the major populations affected by this disorder, it has been reported to occur as late as 90 years of age. Hence, the term “juvenileonset” is not used anymore to describe this type of diabetes. Diabetes and associated groups of diseases put a tremendous burden on the healthcare system in US (Jacobson et al. 1997. The expert committee on the diagnosis and classifi cation of Diabetes mellitus 2002).
