Classification of Diabetes: Not All Hyperglycemia is the Same
Classification of Diabetes: Not All Hyperglycemia is the Same Michael J. Fowler , MD D uring internship and residency, physicians-in-training encounter a myriad of diseases and symptoms. As discussed in this space in the previous issue of Clinical Diabetes , 1 diabetes is a major issue in U.S. healt...
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Published in | Clinical diabetes Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 74 - 76 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Alexandria
American Diabetes Association
01.04.2007
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Classification of Diabetes: Not All Hyperglycemia is the Same
Michael J. Fowler , MD
D uring internship and residency, physicians-in-training encounter a
myriad of diseases and symptoms. As discussed in this space in the previous
issue of Clinical
Diabetes , 1
diabetes is a major issue in U.S. health care and is growing rapidly. Medical
professionals can expect to spend a large portion of their time caring for
diabetic patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings as the prevalence
of this disease increases steadily. Central to the treatment of patients with
diabetes is understanding the classification system used to describe
diabetes.
Previously, physicians classified diabetes based on the treatment required
to control the disorder (insulin-dependent versus non-insulin-dependent
diabetes) or age at which the disorder develops (e.g., juvenile diabetes or
late-onset autoimmune diabetes of adulthood). As our understanding of diabetes
has deepened, the diagnostic criteria and classification scheme of diabetes
has changed as well. Different therapies now target the underlying mechanisms
of diabetes, such as insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, and other aspects
of the disease process. To improve the health care of people with diabetes,
the American Diabetes Association (ADA) no longer recommends classification of
diabetes based on treatment of hyperglycemia, but rather on underlying
mechanism. 2,3
The underlying mechanisms of diabetes were discussed in detail in the last
issue; 1 this article
will focus on the classification scheme for diabetes, which is important for
several reasons.
In addition to offering expedient and up-to-date health care for patients, there are other important reasons to have a thorough
understanding of the classification of diabetes. Diagnosis of diabetes can have a major impact on the cost of an individual's
health insurance premium. In many situations, patients with diabetes may even be considered uninsurable, which limits their
options for self-employment or in obtaining insurance for their family. There are also important ramifications in other areas,
such …
[Full Text of this Article] |
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ISSN: | 0891-8929 1945-4953 |
DOI: | 10.2337/diaclin.25.2.74 |