Diabetes update

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance classifications have historically lacked uniformity.
• Advances in insulin purification technology are notable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the new classification of diabetes mellitus and other glucose intolerances.
• To present clinically important aspects of newly purified insulins.

Main Methods:

• Detailed presentation of recommended criteria for clinicians and researchers.
• Inclusion of information on oral glucose tolerance testing and normal glucose tolerance.
• Highlighting differences in glucose metabolism across different populations (adults, children, pregnant females).

Main Results:

• Introduction of five clinical classes: Type I (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM), Type II (non-insulin-dependent, NIDDM), "other types", gestational diabetes (GDM), and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
• Establishment of two mutually exclusive statistical risk classes: previous abnormality of glucose tolerance (Prev AGT) and potential abnormality of glucose tolerance (Pot AGT).
• New insulins characterized by high purity due to advanced purification methods, with significantly reduced contamination.

Conclusions:

• The new classification provides much-needed uniformity in the field of diabetes and glucose intolerance.
• Newly purified insulins represent an advancement in purity, not formulation.
• The classification criteria and insights into glucose metabolism differences are crucial for clinical practice and research.