DM - DuckPathology

What is?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The condition is primarily classified into several types: type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and other specific types due to various causes such as genetic defects, diseases of the exocrine pancreas, and drug- or chemical-induced diabetes.

Causes and Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes is typically caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to an absolute deficiency of insulin. This form of diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases, is characterized by a combination of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. It is more common in adults and is strongly associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery, although it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diagnostic Procedures

The diagnosis of diabetes is based on elevated blood glucose levels, which can be measured through:

Fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test.
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels.

Avaible treatment

T1DM: Insuline
T2DM: Metformin
GDM: Metformin