Malnutrition as a cause: Now new: Type 5 diabetes

The new type of diabetes was recently launched at the World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok. As the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) subsequently announced , a group of experts was appointed to develop formal diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for type 5 diabetes. An estimated 20 to 25 million people, primarily in Asia and Africa, suffer from this metabolic disorder, which is a result of malnutrition.

Until now, type 5 diabetes was classified as » It is now referred to as malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM). The formal recognition as a separate type of diabetes (see box) marks a turning point in the understanding of the disease, according to the IDF. Type 5 diabetes was first described more than 70 years ago, but has rarely featured in public health discussions. Previously, type 5 was often incorrectly classified as type 1 or type 2. However, recent research has confirmed that those affected by type 5 have a clearly defined metabolic profile.

Type 5 diabetes is characterized by severe insulin deficiency and poor metabolic control. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 5 diabetes is triggered by chronic malnutrition, especially in childhood and adolescence. It is believed that the pancreas fails to develop properly as a result of the nutrient deficiency and therefore produces too little insulin.

Patients with type 5 diabetes are insulin deficient but not insulin resistant, the IDF emphasizes. For many affected individuals, their metabolism can be better controlled with oral diabetes medications than with insulin injections. This is important for patient care in largely resource-poor regions, because oral medications are often cheaper than insulin.