Clinical Focus ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (11): 999-1005.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-583X.2025.11.005

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Association between exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome and diabetic kidney disease

Ruan Peng, Tayyaba Khan, Zhang Nenghan, Zhang Chunyan, Han Tuo, Wang Congxia()   

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710016,China
  • Received:2025-09-12 Online:2025-11-20 Published:2025-12-02
  • Contact: Wang Congxia E-mail:wcx622@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the association between exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome (EIAS) and renal dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods We consecutively enrolled patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to the Department of Endocrinology between June 2023 and March 2024 who underwent insulin autoantibody (IAA) testing. Participants were stratified into an EIAS group (IAA-positive) and a control group (IAA-negative). Clinical characteristics and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were compared between groups. Patients were further categorized by albuminuria severity (ACR threshold of 30 mg/g). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between EIAS and elevated ACR. Results Among 115 eligible patients, 36 (31.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for EIAS. Compared with controls, EIAS patients exhibited distinct clinical profiles: Older age, longer diabetes duration, higher daily insulin requirements, and preferential use of insulin aspart or premixed human insulin formulations (all P<0.05). EIAS patients exhibited lower fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c but higher fasting and 2-h postprandial insulin concentrations and an elevated HOMA IR (all P<0.05). In univariable logistic regression, EIAS was significantly associated with elevated ACR (OR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.20-6.60; P=0.016). However, after adjustment for age, diabetes duration, insulin dose, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c, this association was attenuated and lost statistical significance (adjusted OR=2.89; 95%CI: 0.95-8.79; P=0.062). Conclusion Diabetes mellitus patients with concomitant EIAS are more likely to experience marked glycemic variability, increased insulin resistance, and more advanced renal impairment. Clinicians should therefore be vigilant in screening for EIAS and actively manage affected patients.

Key words: insulin autoimmune syndrome, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance

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