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Diabetes mellitus in the young in Srinagarind Hospital

S Kiatsayompoo1, W Lueprasitsakul, P Bhuripanyo

  • 1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Insights

This study on young diabetes cases found malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) is common, often linked to farming and abdominal pain. Pancreatic calcification was observed in a third of MRDM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Diabetology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus in young individuals (<35 years) presents diverse etiological classifications.
  • Malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) is a significant subtype requiring further characterization.
  • Understanding the distinct features of diabetes subtypes is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To classify diabetes cases in young individuals based on established etiological categories.
  • To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics differentiating MRDM from other diabetes types (NIDDM, IDDM).
  • To identify risk factors and associated conditions in young-onset diabetes, particularly within the MRDM group.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 151 diabetes cases in individuals aged 35 years or younger.
  • Classification of diabetes into non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), MRDM, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and other categories.
  • Abdominal roentgenography to detect pancreatic calcification in a subset of patients.
  • Statistical comparison of demographic, clinical, and occupational factors between MRDM and other diabetes groups.

Main Results:

  • MRDM constituted 36.4% of young diabetes cases, with fibrocalculous (22.5%) and protein-deficient (13.9%) subtypes identified.
  • Pancreatic calcification was found in 33% of MRDM patients who underwent abdominal roentgenography.
  • Farming occupation, abdominal pain, male sex, and cataracts were significantly more prevalent in MRDM compared to NIDDM and IDDM combined.
  • No significant differences in alcohol consumption or raw cassava intake were noted between MRDM and other groups.

Conclusions:

  • MRDM is a substantial subtype of diabetes in the young, associated with specific clinical and occupational factors.
  • The high prevalence of pancreatic calcification in MRDM suggests a link to pancreatic pathology.
  • Targeted public health strategies addressing occupational risks and nutritional factors may be beneficial for preventing and managing MRDM in young populations.

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