Diabetes Mellitus
Laura Webb Lamps, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia, generally classified as types 1 and 2
Macroscopic Features
Decreased size and weight (type 1 > type 2)
Microscopic Pathology
Type 1
Variation in islet size and shape
Reduced or absent B cells
Islet inflammation
Type 2
Islet amyloidosis
Reduction in both A and B cells
Islets reduced in number but unchanged in size
Both types
Fibrosis, exocrine atrophy
 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
Diabetes mellitus (DM)
Definitions
Heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia
Result of defects in insulin secretion, insulin activity, or both
General classification
Type 1
Absolute insulin deficiency
Type 2
Insulin resistance and inadequate secretion resulting in relative insulin deficiency
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Unknown and Multifactorial
Possible autoimmune causes
Some genetic causes (defects of B-cell function or insulin action)
Diseases of exocrine pancreas
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