# Late Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Associated Insulin Resistance Syndrome: A Rare Cause of De Novo Diabetes Mellitus

Authors: José C. Alvarez-Payares; Daniel Ribero; Luis Rodríguez; Carlos E. Builes; Carolina Prieto; Clara Arango; Juan G. Gamboa; Cristian Alvarez-Payares
Journal: Case Reports in Medicine
 (2022)

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## Abstract

The association of type B insulin resistance syndrome (TBIRS) due to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon. This is partly due to the lack of established criteria for the diagnosis of this resistance. However, some clinical aspects may suggest that the diagnosis does not necessarily have to be positive insulin receptor antibodies as such patients could respond to immunosuppressive treatment.Methods. We describe a case and have performed a literature review on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar bibliographic databases to identify all case reports. All available studies from January 1975 through December 2020 were included. Data collected were tabulated, and outcomes were analyzed cumulatively. Results. Thirty-one cases of TBIRS associated with SLE have been described. These patients presented with catabolic symptoms and hyperglycemia in most cases, with an average time from the onset of symptoms of four months. In addition to that clinical characteristics related to SLE were variable, along with certain common characteristics such as acanthosis in 60% of patients. Almost all the patients had antibodies against insulin receptors. The insulin doses required by the patients ranged from 450 to 25,000 U daily. Remission was achieved in 80% of the patients with a two-year follow-up. Most patients associated with late-onset SLE, like our patient, achieved metabolic control after immunosuppressive treatment. Conclusion. High insulin resistance in patients with de novo diabetes mellitus (DM) without obesity should be considered as a possible clinical manifestation of an autoimmune disease such as SLE, with a good metabolic response to the immunosuppressive management established.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Type B insulin resistance syndrome (TBIRS) is a rare autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies directed against insulin receptors, leading to hyperglycemia secondary to severe insulin resistance; however, it can lead to hypoglycemia as well [1]. The cases recorded in the literature typically show women of reproductive age, mainly with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in up to 33% [2]. Patients usually present with weight loss, hyperandrogenism, diffuse acanthosis nigricans associated with insulin resistance, hyperadiponectemia, and hypotriglyceridemia. No standardized treatment exists for this syndrome; however, multiple treatment schemes with variable success rates have been described, including spontaneous remission in up to 33% of patients [3]. Mortality rates can be as high as 50% and the cause of death is usually related to hypoglycemia complications [2].In the present case report, an elderly nonobese patient with de novo diabetes mellitus diagnosis, high insulin requirement since diagnosis, and inadequate metabolic control is described. The systematic workup of differential diagnosis led to the finding of an autoimmune disease which explains the clinical picture of the patient. In addition, an exhaustive review of SLE-associated TBIRS cases is performed.


## 2. Methods

A search was performed in PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from January 1975 until March 2021, using the following keywords: “Type B insulin resistance”o “Type B syndrome,” “SLE,” “Lupus,” and “Lupus Erythematosus Systemic” y “autoimmune.” From 55 articles found (Figure 1), we included every single one when the complete text was available, regardless of the methodology used. Therefore, patients with a confirmed disease or even those with no anti-insulin antibodies but a suggestive clinical presentation were included. We included articles in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The clinical, demographical, laboratory, treatment, and relapse data were analyzed.Figure 1
Flowchart describing the cases selection process.


## 3. Case Presentation

A 62-year-old African American female, with a personal history of de novo diabetes mellitus with insulin requirements, of two to three months, with no micro or macrovascular complications, treated with high insulin doses (50 U glargine twice a day, and 20 U glulisine three times a day), without achievement of metabolic control. The patient was referred to a fourth-level hospital based on a malignant neoplasm suspicion: weight loss of 20–30 kg in the last two to three months (her weight at the time of evaluation was 100 kg) and absence of metabolic control. The patient mentioned occasional Raynaud’s phenomenon. Periocular and perioral acanthosis nigricans (Figure2), and a left supraclavicular mobile lymphadenopathy of 1 cm diameter, with no inflammatory changes, were observed in physical examination. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. During in-patient stance, glucometer registry was between 350–400 mg/dL, despite receiving glargine insulin 138 U/day and glulisine insulin 44 U three times a day.Figure 2
Periocular, perioral, cervical, and mandibular acanthosis.In Table1, the main laboratory findings are registered, including lymphopenia and positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) that associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon, suggested a late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis. However, as a malignant neoplasm was suspected, a cervical lymph node biopsy and a bone marrow biopsy were performed, which were unremarkable. The rest of the endocrine and imaging tests were normal.Table 1
Laboratory results during patient’s hospital stay.
Laboratory testsResultsReference valuesHemoglobin10.112–15.5 gr/dLLeucocytes/neutrophils/lymphocytes2600/1000/5004000–11,000 × mm3/2000–7000/1000–3000Platelets236,000200,000–500,000/mm3CRP3.010.01–0.82 mg/dLESR141–20 mm/hAspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT)20/1810–40 units/L/7–56 units/LTotal bilirubin/direct bilirubin0.66/0.220.1–1.2 mg/dL/<0.3 mg/dLAlkaline phosphatase/gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)45/2920–140 U/L/9–48 U/LAlbumin43.4–5.4 g/dLLDH230140–280 U/LFerritin30720–200 ng/mLNa+/K+/Cl−/Ca2+/Mg138/3.8/8.8/2.2mEq/LTriglycerides50<150 mg/dLPT/INR/PPT10/0.9/2410–12 s/0.9–1.15/25–35 sAutoimmunity laboratoryAntinuclear antibodies (ANA)1 : 2560 speckledPositive> 1 : 80C3/C4C3 50 mg/dl C4 8 mg/dlC3 80–160 mg/dL/C4 15 a 52 mg/dLAnti-DNAPositivePositive >1 : 10Extractable nuclear antigen antibodies (ENA)Anti Ro (+)Positive >20 unitsAntineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies (ANCA)NegativeNegativeAntiphospholipid antibodiesNegativeNegativeBasal insulin25.318–48 pmol/LC peptide300–4.0 ng/mLAnti-insulin antibodiesPositiveNegativeDue to the high insulin requirements, an insulin drip was started and titrated, with the highest dose up to 43 U/kg/day with capillary blood glucometer around 200 mg/dL. An insulin resistance syndrome mediated by autoimmunity was suspected based on the clinical presentation–in this case, late-onset SLE. Therefore, management with methylprednisolone 250 mg/day for three days and a prednisolone taper starting at 50 mg/day was initiated. Insulin dose was successfully reduced to less than 2 U/kg/day and a bridge with subcutaneous insulin was performed until insulin drip was suspended (Figure3). Nonetheless, the patient presented catheter-associated bacteremia, which delayed rituximab initiation. Rituximab therapy was finally started, achieving excellent clinical and metabolic results because at discharge, she only required linagliptin for glycemic control without the need for insulin or another hypoglycemic agent. The patient remained on maintenance immunosuppression with prednisolone 5 mg and chloroquine 250 mg daily. Unfortunately, after discharge, she did not return to our institution for reasons related to her health insurance.Figure 3
Blood glucose plot. Improvement after IV methylprednisolone pulse and oral prednisolone therapy.


## 4. Discussion

Type B insulin resistance syndrome (TBIRS) is an extremely rare entity, with unknown prevalence. Only 116 cases have been described in the literature [2, 4]. The first time this disease was described was in 1975 when six patients presented with overt insulin resistance with acanthosis nigricans and high insulin requirements due to a serum-circulating factor which affected insulin binding to its receptor [5]. These patients required up to 100 times more insulin. Extreme requirements from 700 up to 177,500 insulin units per day were registered [6].Some authors like Willard et al. [1], suggest that the biochemical triad of extremely high levels of fasting insulin, hyperadiponectinemia, and hypotriglyceridemia in patients with acanthosis nigricans and underlying autoimmune disease may be considered as a clinical definition of TBIRS. In addition, other characteristics may lead to TBIRS suspicions, such as slim patients with insulin requirements higher than 3 U/kg/day and persistent hyperglycemia [7].Three mechanisms have been described for hyperglycemia in this disorder [1]: autoantibodies competing for the insulin receptor binding site, the binding of such autoantibodies leading to receptor degradation, and the agonist/antagonist action of these autoantibodies with a biphasic response (hypo and hyperglycemia).The biggest TBIRS cohort was obtained in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In this cohort, 24 patients were followed for 28 years, finding that TBIRS is more frequent in African American women, with an underlying autoimmune disease, and an age between 20 and 68 years, although teenager cases have been described [3]. In these patients, only three of them developed hypoglycemia, and SLE was observed in up to 46% of patients. Most had a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and in those with a BMI lower than 25 kg/m2, one third presented with hypoglycemia and two thirds with hyperglycemia, reflecting an insulin resistance profile different to those with obesity. Perioral and periocular acanthosis nigricans were observed in up to 88% of patients; other patients presented with a deeper voice and lower extremity wasting due to overweight. In the autoimmune laboratory, ANA was observed in 83% of patients and hypocomplementemia (C3 predominantly) in 21%. 25% had spontaneous remission and patients treated with glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, cyclosporine, and azathioprine had a variable response time from five months up to 54 months.In a recent systematic review [2], 115 TBIRS cases were reported. Most were women (76.5%) with a mean age of 42 years. 50% had normal weight and acanthosis nigricans, 45% had hyperglycemia, 42.9% had hypoglycemia at any time of the disease course, and diabetic ketoacidosis was observed in only 11.8%. SLE was the main etiology in 33%, as the NIH cohort. In some patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma, TBIRS was the initial manifestation as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. In relation to laboratory findings, mean HbA1c was 10.8% (5.1–18.7), fasting serum insulin of 1309 μg/dl (0.1–10.584), C peptide of 13.9 ng/mL (0.1–63.0), and triglycerides of 72.8 mg/dL (36–155); autoimmunity laboratory was remarkable for ANA, present in 60%, hypocomplementemia in 20%, and anti-insulin antibodies were ordered in only 36.1% with half being positive.Out of 115 patients, 83 (70%) achieved disease remission and 20.5% with spontaneous remission. In the first phase, prednisolone was used in 40% of patients (dose of 50–60 mg), cyclophosphamide in 20%, rituximab in 10%, and plasmapheresis in 8–10%. During this phase, remission was achieved in 40% of patients. The mean daily insulin dose was 1747 U/day (54–57.600), which led to admission for intravenous drip titration. Time-to-remission had a mean of four months (0.25–54). No statistically significant relationship could be established between negative anti-insulin antibodies and disease remission. The mortality in this systematic review was 15.38%; one out of four patients died due to intractable hypoglycemia.Thirty-one SLE-associated TBIRS cases have been described (Tables2 and 3), these patients had hypoglycemia (35%) or catabolic symptoms and hyperglycemia (66%) as the initial symptoms. The time of symptom onset was from one up to 15 months. The most common ANA pattern was speckled (32%). No single SLE sign or symptom was predominant, as the clinical presentation was variable among all patients. Acanthosis nigricans was present in 60% of patients. Predominant antibodies were anti-insulin receptors (97%). 37.5% TBIRS were associated with late-onset SLE. Insulin doses required were between 450–25,000 U/day. Remission was achieved in 80% of patients with a follow-up of two years. 10% of patients did not respond to the therapy, with persistent hypoglycemia. Most late-onset SLE-associated TBIRS required additional immunosuppressant therapy to achieve remission and metabolic control (other than steroids). Nonetheless, in our patient glycemic control was achieved after glucocorticoid therapy. An interesting finding in our patient was that in addition to anti-insulin antibodies, normal C peptide, and fasting insulin, clinical signs of insulin resistance and high insulin requirements, hypotriglyceridemia was observed, which is suggested as another variable to consider for the diagnosis [1].Table 2
SLE-associated TBIRS patients’ description.
Gender/age, raceTime- to diabetes diagnosisTime-to resistanceANA titer/patternAcanthosis nigricansSLE characteristicsACRI-AAIMaximum daily insulin doseTreatmentFinal outcome1.F, 62 years, African American. Present case3 months3 months (catabolic symptoms)1 : 2560 speckledYesRaynaud’s phenomenonLymphopeniaHypocomplementemiaAAI2400 U daily dosePulse steroid + prednisoloneRemission (metabolic control)2.F, 47 years, Asian. [4]3 months3 months (catabolic symptoms)Positive speckledYesFeverOral ulcersWeight lossAxillar lymphadenopathiesLeukopeniaACRI12,000 U daily dosePulse steroid + 20 mg for 4 weeks2 years remission3.F, 60 years, African American. [8]1 year (hypoglycemia)3 months (catabolic symptoms)Not reportedYesNot reportedACRIHypoglycemias with no antidiabetic drugs (despite glucocorticoids, glucagon and octreotide)3 immunoglobulin cycles + prednisolone 60 mg daily + azathioprine 100 mg dailyPersistant hypoglycemias (12 months)4.F, 8 years, Latina. [9]Unknown3 months (hypoglycemia)1 : 640YesNephritisDermatomyositisRaynaud’s phenomenonACRIHypoglycemias with doses of 1.1 U/kg/dayMycophenolate + prednisolone + immunoglobulin + rituximab + plasmapheresis + BortezomibPersistant hypoglycemias (12 months)5.F, 39 years, African American. [10]6 months (catabolic symptoms)1 month (hypoglycemia)1 : 2560 speckledYesAntiphospholipid antibodiesAAI1500 U dailyRituximab + pulse high dose dexamethasone each 4 months for 4 days + maintenance with azathioprineRemission (12 months follow-up)6.M, 63 years, Asian. [11]4 months (catabolic symptoms)4 months (uncontrolled hyperglycemia)1 : 320YesNephritisCryoglobulinemiaACRI306 U dailyMethylprednisolone 40 mg/day + cyclophosphamideRemission (unknown follow-up)7.M, 60 years, Asian. [12]UnknownUnknown1 : 2560 speckledNoAtaxia photosensitivityThrombocytopeniaLymphopeniaHypocomplementemiaACRIContinuous infusion 9 mU/kg/minRituximab + prednisolone + cyclosporineRemission (unknown follow-up)—nephrotic syndrome development8.M, 44 years, Asian. [13]1 year (hyperglycemia)Unknown (hypoglycemia)Positive—unknown titersYesPolyarthralgiasHypocomplementemiaHypergammaglobulinemiaACRIHypoglycemias with no antidiabetic drugsRituximabRemission (unknown follow-up)9.F, 46 years, Asian. [14]No diagnosis3 monthsPositive—unknown titersNoRaynaud’s phenomenonThrombocytopeniaHypocomplementemiaNephritisNegative600 U dailyImmunoglobulin + cyclophosphamide + leflunomideRemission (unknown follow-up)10.F, 38 years, Asian[15]UnknownUnknown (hypoglycemias)Positive—unknown titersNoPhotosensitivityInterstitial lung diseaseACRIHypoglycemias with no antidiabetic drugsPrednisolone 30 mg/day + chloroquine 300 mg/day + azathioprine 50 mg/dayRemission (unknown follow-up)11.F, 38 years, Caucasian. [16]Unknown2 months (renal failure and catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 1280 speckledYesNephritisMalar rashMyalgiasArthralgiasACRI2400 U dailyMycophenolate + pulse steroids + plasmapheresis + rituximab + IV immunoglobulinPersistant hypoglycemia with glucose supplement requirement and continuous enteral nutrition12.F, 50 years, African American. [17]UnknownUnknownPositiveNoUnknownACRI1300 U daily1 rituximab cycle + 3 pulse steroidRemission (16 months follow-up)13.M, 62 years, African American. [17]UnknownUnknownPositiveNoAntiphospholipid antibodiesACRI1250 U daily2 rituximab cycles + 3 pulse steroidRemission (12 months follow-up)14.M, 64 years, Caucasian. [17]UnknownUnknownPositive—unknown titersNoUnknownACRI1800 U daily2 rituximab cycles + 5 pulse steroidRemission (3 months follow-up)15.M, 59 years, Asian. [18]No diagnosis1 month (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 80 speckledNoRaynaud’s phenomenon arthritisAlveolar hemorrhageLymphadenopathiesPancytopenia with AIHAHypocomplementemiaACRI1800 U daily3 Cyclophosphamide cycles + prednisolone + Cyclosporine + MetforminRemission (15 months follow-up)16.M, 37 years, Asian. [19]Unknown3 months (hypoglycemias)Positive—unknown titersNoOral ulcersFeverArthralgiasPhotosensitivitySkin lesionsACRI AAIHypoglycemias with no antidiabetic drugsPrednisolone 60 mg/day + chloroquine 250 mg/day + cyclophosphamide 600 mg every 2 weeks for 6 monthsRemission (unknown follow-up)17.F, 50 years, from India. [20]No diagnosisUnknown (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 100 homogeneousYesOral ulcersWeight lossFatigueAnemia arthritisSkin lesionsACRI2000 U dailyMethylprednisolone pulse + prednisolone + AzathioprineRemission (unknown follow-up)18.F, 23 years, Asian. [21]No diagnosisUnknown (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 320 speckledYesNephritisHypocomplementemiaACRIUnknownMethylprednisolone pulse + prednisoloneInitial remission Death due to P. jirovecii pneumonia19.F, 13 years, African American. [22]No diagnosis3 monthsUnknownNoUnknownACRI450 U daily rosiglitazone metforminPrednisolone 60 mg dailyUnknown20.F, 40 years, African American. [23]No diagnosis1 month (asymptomatic hyperglycemia)UnknownYesNephritisACRI4500 U dailyMethylprednisolone pulse + cyclophosphamideRemission (unknown follow-up)21.F, 37 years, African American. [24]No diagnosis6 monthsPositive—unknown titersYesArthritisRaynaud’s phenomenonACRI3000 U dailyMethylprednisolone pulse + Prednisolone + 5 plasmapheresis cycles + 6 cyclophosphamide cyclesRemission (11 months follow-up)22.F, 27 years, African American. [25]No diagnosisUnknown1 : 640YesPericarditisArthritisACRI1200 U daily2 cyclophosphamide cycles + prednisolone + maintenance with mycophenolate mofetilRemission (unknown follow-up)23.F, 50 years, Asian. [26]Unknown1 month1 : 2560 homogeneousYesHypocomplementemiaACRI610  U dailyPrednisolone 30 mg + IFG-1Remission (unknown follow-up)24.F, 16 years, Latin. [27]Unknown2 months (catabolic symptoms)1 : 1280YesNephritisPancytopeniaSerositisACRIUnknownMethylprednisolone pulse + 6 cyclophosphamide cyclesRemission (24 months follow-up)25.M, 69 years, Asian. [28]No diagnosis13 months (hypo and hyperglycemia)1 : 1280 speckledYesRaynaud’s phenomenonHypocomplemententemiaNephritisACRIUnknown2 methylprednisolone pulses + Cyclophosphamide + prednisolone 30 mg dailyRemission (unknown follow-up)26.F, 59 years, Caucasian. [29]No diagnosis15 months (catabolic symptoms and hypoglycemias)Positive speckled (no titers)NoHypocomplementemiaLeukopeniaACRIUnknownPrednisolone for 3 months (80–40 mg/day)Remission (unknown follow-up)27.F, 24 years, Caucasian. [30]No diagnosis9 months (hypoglycemias)Positive 1 : 64NoDiscoid lupusLymphadenopathiesFeverSerositisArthritis leukopeniaLymphopeniaHypocomplementemiaACRIUnknownPrednisolone for 3 months (20–5 mg/day)Remission (unknown follow-up)28.F, 52 years, African American. [31]No diagnosis1 month (hypoglycemias)Positive 1 : 2084 homogeneousNoArthritisAlopeciaHypocomplementemiaLeukopeniaACRIHypoglycemias with no antidiabetic drugs despite of daily 300 gr glucose intravenous infusionPrednisolone (120–10 mg/day)Remission (unknown follow-up)29.F, 49 years, African American. [32]2 years14 months (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 160 speckledYesAlopeciaLeukopeniaNephritisACRI24,000 dailyprednisoneDeath (unknown cause)30.F, 40 years, African American. [32]No diagnosisUnknown (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 360 speckledYesArthralgiasLeukopeniaNephritisNeurolupusACRI6000 UI dailyPulse steroidsDeath (unknown cause)31.F, 23 years, African American. [32]Unknown9 months (catabolic symptoms)Positive—unknown titersYesArthritisLeukopeniaHypocomplementemiaNephritisACRI2600 U daily3 plasmapheresis and lymphapheresis cycles + 3 cyclophosphamide cycles + PrednisoneRemission (unknown follow-up)32.F, 51 years, African American. [33]4 years8 months (catabolic symptoms)Positive 1 : 160 speckledYesAlopeciaHypocomplementemiaNo tested25,000 U dailyNo drugsSpontaneous remission (20 months follow-up)Table 3
SLE-associated TBIRS patients’ characteristics.
Clinical and demographic characteristicsMean and frequenciesRaceAfrican American 39%Caucasian 16%Asian 39%Latin 6%AgeMean: 43 yearsRange: 8–69 yearsHypoglycemia35%Acanthosis61%Hypocomplementemia39%Late onset lupus (≥50 years)37.5%ANAsSpeckled: 32%Homogeneous: 10%No specification/no report: 58%TreatmentSteroids: 84%Rituximab: 26%Azathioprine: 13%Mycophenolate: 13%Immunoglobulin: 10%Cyclophosphamide: 10%Methotrexate: 10% cyclosporine: 6%Bortezomib: 3%Treatment responseSpontaneous 3.1%Unknown 17.9%Remission 80%Death10% (4 patients)2 due to unknown causes1 due to P. jirovecii infection1 due to motor vehicle accidentThe treatment includes two main goals: glycemic control, and immunosuppression when it is required. No single protocol is established, and no clinical trial has been performed in this population. The treatment has certain details which must be considered, such as mean insulin requirement which was up to 5600 U/day in the NIH cohort; some patients required up to 30,000 U/day. Concentrated insulin products may improve insulin administration when higher doses are required. U-500 insulin is five times more concentrated than U-100 insulin [34]; therefore, it is considered the cornerstone of therapy in patients with insulin resistance; unfortunately, it is not available in Colombia. In a nine-study meta-analysis, patients with different types of U-100 and U-500 insulin were included: patients treated with U-500 insulin had a higher weight gain of 4.4 kg, but no difference was observed in hypoglycemias [35]. To administer such high insulin doses safely, the patient must be admitted and an intravenous insulin drip must be started. Treatment schemes have been established by academic medical centers and the main therapeutic goal is normal fasting glucose to achieve metabolic control [35, 36].Immunosuppression is directed to resolve the underlying autoimmune process. Multiple treatment schemes have been used as was observed in the systematic review by Martins et al. [2]. NIH proposed a standardized treatment regime with a combination of rituximab, monthly pulse steroid therapy (dexamethasone 40 mg/day for four days), and cyclophosphamide [17]. This scheme was used in a 45-year-old patient with 20 kg unexplained weight loss, disseminated acanthosis nigricans, blood glucose higher than 500 mg/dL, anti-insulin receptor antibodies, and lack of metabolic control despite 600 daily insulin units and no improvement with prednisolone, azathioprine, or plasmapheresis. The patient finally improved after rituximab 750 mg/m2 divided into two doses two weeks apart, associated with oral cyclophosphamide 100 mg/day and dexamethasone 40 mg/day for 4 days. Fasting glucose improved down to 80–100 mg/dL, HbA1c was reduced from 11.8% to 6.5%, and perioral, periocular, and periauricular acanthosis nigricans improved as well [37].


## 5. Conclusion

In conclusion, TBIRS in nonobese patients with de novo diabetes must be considered secondary to an autoimmune disease such as SLE, with a good metabolic response to immunosuppressant management.



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