[New diagnostic methods and classification of diabetes. Not many changes--but why?]

Of the approximately 300,000 diabetics in Sweden, about 15 per cent have type I or juvenile diabetes, and the remainder type II or diabetes of maturity. Naturally, this is a gross oversimplification of the situation, and reflects our predilection for classification rather than our knowledge of the etiology and heterogeneity of the disease. Not only is there a broad indeterminate zone between the two main types, but during recent years a number of genetically determined forms have also been described. Accordingly, the World Health Organisation has recently proposed changes in the classification of diabetes and in the diagnostic criteria. The new proposals are reviewed in the article.