A Chinese patient presenting with clinical signs of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus.

A 31-year-old Chinese woman suffering from excessive thirst and appetite loss consulted our hospital. Laboratory examination revealed a high blood glucose level and evidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, however, the serum HbA1c was normal. The 24-hour urinary excretion of C-reactive protein and the glucagon stimulation test indicated the loss of endogenous insulin secretion. The patient satisfied the criteria for the diagnosis of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, she tested positive for serum anti-IA2 antibody even though the titer was low. We considered it worthwhile reporting this case, because very few cases of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus among Chinese people have been published.