Diabetes is normally split into two categories: Type 1 and Type 2. But a group of scientists from Sweden and Finland say diabetes is actually five separate diseases.
Each of the five proposed categories is genetically distinct. Their characteristics vary by the patient's age, weight, resistance to insulin, the amount of insulin they produce and whether their diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder.
The five new proposed classifications are:
— Severe Autoimmune Diabetes, which is similar to Type 1 diabetes in that the body blocks insulin production.
— Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes, wherein a patient lacks insulin even though the disease isn't actually blocking its production.
— Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes, which is when the body doesn't respond normally to insulin. This category is usually associated with a higher body mass index.
— Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes, wherein the body hasn't formed an insulin resistance, but the patient is usually obese.
— Mild Age-Related Diabetes, which is basically the same as Obesity-Related Diabetes but found in patients significantly older than the other four types.
The new distinct categories could allow doctors to better treat patients who are more at risk for certain complications and lead to more tailored treatments for the disease.
