latent autoimmune diabetes

My father has a lot of problems with the diabetes. He is taking insulin every day for a long time. Now he has a new diagnose; latent autoimmune diabetes. At least that is what we have been told by a doctor. What is it? How autoimmune process can influence on diabetes?

Individuals with a genetic predisposition are exposed to an immunologic trigger that initiates an autoimmune process, resulting in a gradual decline in beta cell mass. The downward slope of the beta cell mass varies among individuals. This progressive impairment in insulin release results in diabetes when 80% of the beta cell mass is destroyed. A "honeymoon" phase may bee seen in the first 1 or 2 years after the onset of diabetes and is associated with reduced insulin requirements.