[Type 3 c diabetes: Approach from the first level doctor]

DM3c is diabetes (DM) of the exocrine pancreas that must be suspected whenever there is a history of chronic pancreatitis (CP), acute pancreatitis (AP) or recurrence (80% of cases) or new-onset DM in individuals from over 50 years of age without any other justification (negative autoimmunity tests, Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase antibodies). It is an entity misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes (DM2) (90%) and therefore, if it is not suspected, it can go unnoticed. For its diagnosis, abdominal ultrasound, determination of the CA 19.9 tumor antigen (carbohydrate antigen 19-9), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or computerized axial tomography (CT) are useful. The treatment is the same as DM2, although certain specifications depend on the type of drugs and with the particularity that in dealing with «fragile diabetes» greater caution must be taken with hypoglycemia (monitoring). Likewise, as it is a disease of the exocrine pancreas, it will have to be specifically treated to avoid metabolic, malabsorptive and/or nutritional alterations.