What distinguishes Type I diabetes mellitus?

What distinguishes Type I diabetes mellitus?

• A. An autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, formerly known as juvenile diabetes.
• B. A metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency.
• C. Onset in older adults.
• D. Excess insulin production.

Answer: (A)

Type I diabetes is defined by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an absolute lack of endogenous insulin. This destruction often presents in younger individuals, hence the historical term juvenile diabetes, and is why those affected must rely on insulin for survival and are at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis if insulin is not available. This autoimmune, insulin-deficient process distinguishes Type I from other forms. The other descriptions describe Type II diabetes, which involves insulin resistance with only a relative, not absolute, insulin deficiency and typically occurs in older individuals and often with obesity. The idea of excess insulin production would not characterize Type I.

Type I diabetes is defined by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an absolute lack of endogenous insulin. This destruction often presents in younger individuals, hence the historical term juvenile diabetes, and is why those affected must rely on insulin for survival and are at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis if insulin is not available. This autoimmune, insulin-deficient process distinguishes Type I from other forms. The other descriptions describe Type II diabetes, which involves insulin resistance with only a relative, not absolute, insulin deficiency and typically occurs in older individuals and often with obesity. The idea of excess insulin production would not characterize Type I.