Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by defective insulin secretion and varying degrees of insulin resistance, resulting in hyperglycemia.
Types
The two main types of DM are type I and type II.
The old classification of juvenile-onset (type I) and adult-onset (type II) is no longer accurate, as nowadays DM type II is becoming more common in children as well.
Type 1 DM
Also known as insulin-dependent DM. Typically appears in children and young adults.
- Pancreatic beta cells are destroyed (probably due to autoimmunity, initiated by an environmental trigger), leading to the lack of insulin production.
- Patients with type I DM are dependent on exogenous insulin (hence, it is referred to as insulin-dependent DM).
- DKA is often the initial presentation.
- Autoantibodies:
- Anti-islet
- Anti-insulin
- Anti-gultamic acid decarboxylase
- Anti-tyrosine phosphatase
- Risk factors:
- Genetics (HLA-DR3/DR4)
- Exposure to dairy at a young age
- Viral infections
- Relatives of those with T1DM can be screened for the presence of anti-islet antibodies, however, there are no proven strategies to prevent the disease.
Type 2 DM
Also known as insulin-independent DM:
- The cells of the body become tolerant (lose their sensitivity) to