Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by However, there are other rare forms of diabetes that are directly inherited. …
Genetics and Diabetes
Background Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by persistent hyperglycemia The two most common forms of diabetes are type 1 diabetes T1D, previously known as insulindependent diabetes or IDDM and type 2 diabetes T2D, previously known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or NIDDM Both are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors However, there are other rare forms of diabetes that are directly inherited These include maturity onset diabetes in the young MODY, and diabetes due to mutations in mitochondrial DNA All forms of diabetes have very serious effects on health In addition to the consequences of abnormal metabolism of glucose eg, hyperlipidemia, glycosylation of proteins, etc, there are a number of long-term complications associated with the disease These include cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, ocular, neurologic and renal abnormalities, which are responsible for morbidity, disability and premature death in young adults Furthermore, the disease is associated with reproductive complications causing problems for both mothers and their children Although improved glycemic control may decrease the
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