Type 2 diabetes is different in that it is usually caused by insulin resistance in the body in older patients leading to beta cell burnout over time, and is not prone to DKA.
In order to get a full Aβ diagnosis presence of beta cell function must also be completed using C-peptide levels.
After diagnosing the subtype of KPD, long term management with a primary care provider should be done with diabetic education and counseling as patients will require insulin therapy after initial presentation.
While the presentation mimics type 1 diabetes with its propensity for DKA, patients with KPD can regain pancreatic beta cell function over time.
Patients with autoantibodies at presentation have a lower likelihood of having beta cell function restored, a fact that holds true even when the type of KPD is not distinguished by the traditional Aβ subtype system.
Patients who maintain proper glycemic control to protect their functioning beta cells exhibited lesser disease courses and regained beta cell functionality at a much higher rate than patients who had looser or less stringent glucose control.