Diabetes types chart
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Comprehensive Overview of Diabetes Types
Type 1 Diabetes: Autoimmune Destruction of Beta Cells
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which typically leads to an absolute deficiency in insulin production. This form of diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10% of all diabetes cases and has a strong genetic component, primarily inherited through the HLA complex . The exact triggers for the onset of clinical disease remain largely unknown. Management involves a multidisciplinary approach, including insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, meal planning, and screening for complications such as microvascular and macrovascular diseases.
Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin Resistance and Progressive Insulin Secretion Loss
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, characterized by a progressive loss of insulin secretion on the background of insulin resistance. This type is highly heterogeneous, with patients exhibiting varying clinical characteristics, disease progression, drug responses, and risks of complications . Subclassification of type 2 diabetes into subtypes, such as severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD) and severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD), can help tailor personalized treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Diabetes During Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes mellitus is diagnosed during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and was not clearly overt diabetes prior to gestation. This type of diabetes requires careful monitoring and management to prevent complications for both the mother and the baby .
Specific Types of Diabetes: Monogenic Syndromes and Secondary Causes
There are specific types of diabetes caused by other factors, including monogenic diabetes syndromes such as neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), diseases of the exocrine pancreas like cystic fibrosis, and drug- or chemical-induced diabetes, such as from glucocorticoid use, HIV/AIDS treatment, or post-organ transplantation . These types require specialized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Subtypes of Type 2 Diabetes: Clinical Parameters and Personalized Medicine
Recent research has identified subtypes within type 2 diabetes based on clinical parameters such as GAD autoantibodies, age at diabetes onset, HbA1c levels, BMI, and measures of insulin resistance and secretion. These subtypes, including SIDD and SIRD, have been associated with different risks of complications and responses to treatment, emphasizing the importance of personalized medicine in diabetes management.
Conclusion
Understanding the various types and subtypes of diabetes is crucial for effective diagnosis, management, and treatment. Type 1 diabetes involves autoimmune destruction of beta cells, while type 2 diabetes is marked by insulin resistance and progressive insulin secretion loss. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and specific types of diabetes can result from genetic syndromes or secondary causes. Subclassification of type 2 diabetes into distinct subtypes can enhance personalized treatment approaches, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
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