Diabetes Mellitus
Laura Webb Lamps, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
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Heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia, generally classified as types 1 and 2
Macroscopic Features
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Decreased size and weight (type 1 > type 2)
Microscopic Pathology
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Type 1
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Variation in islet size and shape
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Reduced or absent B cells
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Islet inflammation
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Type 2
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Islet amyloidosis
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Reduction in both A and B cells
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Islets reduced in number but unchanged in size
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Both types
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Fibrosis, exocrine atrophy
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The islet to the left is unremarkable, while the islet to the right shows small nodules of amyloid  . There is also fatty infiltration of the pancreas. |
Dense nodules of amyloid are seen within an islet in this case of type 2 diabetes. |
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
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Diabetes mellitus (DM)
Definitions
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Heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia
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Result of defects in insulin secretion, insulin activity, or both
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General classification
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Type 1
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Absolute insulin deficiency
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Type 2
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Insulin resistance and inadequate secretion resulting in relative insulin deficiency
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ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Unknown and Multifactorial
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Possible autoimmune causes
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Some genetic causes (defects of B-cell function or insulin action)
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Diseases of exocrine pancreas
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