DIABETES MELLITUS


Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of chronic hyperglycemia accompanied by greater or lesser impairment in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. DM is probably one of the oldest diseases known to man. 
The origin and etiology of DM can vary greatly but always include defects in either insulin secretion or response or in both at some point in the course of disease. Mostly patients with diabetes mellitus have either type 1 diabetes (which is immune-mediated or idiopathic) Type 2 DM (formerly known as non-insulin dependent DM) is the most common form of DM characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and relative insulin deficiency. 

Classification of Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (juvenile diabetes) is characterized by beta cell destruction caused by an autoimmune process, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency [20]. Type 1 is usually characterized by the presence of anti–glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet cell or insulin antibodies which identify the autoimmune processes that lead to beta cell destruction. Eventually, all type1 diabetic patients will require insulin therapy to maintain normglycemia.


Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Most individuals with Type 2 DM exhibit intra-abdominal (visceral) obesity, which is closely related to the presence of insulin resistance. In addition, hypertension and dyslipidemia (high triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol levels; postprandial hyperlipidemia) often are present in these individuals. This is the most common form of diabetes mellitus and is highly associated with a family history of diabetes, older age, obesity and lack of exercise.

DM is treated either with oral hypoglycaemic drugs or insulin.

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to learn

  1. types of DM
  2. Pathophysiology of DM
  3. Diagnosis and treatment of DM