At the recent World Diabetes Congress held in Bangkok, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) officially acknowledged Type 5 Diabetes as a unique and separate form of the disease. This condition, which primarily affects individuals suffering from malnutrition, had remained under the radar for decades despite its widespread prevalence.
Type Of 5 Diabetes
Type 5 Diabetes, also known as malnutrition-related diabetes, is a lesser-known form of the disease:
It primarily affects undernourished children, teenagers, and young adults.
This form of diabetes is particularly common in low- and middle-income regions, especially in parts of Asia and Africa.
Global estimates suggest that 20 to 25 million people are currently living with this condition.
Unlike Type 1 (autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells) and Type 2 (insulin resistance), Type 5 is marked by a severe deficiency in insulin secretion.
A Look Back: Historical Context
The first recorded cases of this form of diabetes date back to 1955, when it was described in Jamaica and referred to as J-type diabetes. It was later observed in malnourished populations in countries like India, Pakistan, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa during the 1960s.
Though the World Health Organization (WHO) initially recognized the condition in 1985, it was delisted in 1999 due to a lack of long-term studies and concrete evidence.
New Insights And Developments
Recent studies have confirmed that Type 5 diabetes is fundamentally different from other known types. Crucially, standard treatments such as insulin therapy, commonly used for Type 1 diabetes, may actually be harmful in Type 5 cases. The condition stems from a deep dysfunction in insulin production, not from insulin resistance or autoimmune causes.
IDF’s Action Plan And Global Initiative
To address the growing concern, the IDF has launched a dedicated working group with several key objectives:
Establishing formal diagnostic and treatment protocols
Defining clear diagnostic criteria for Type 5 diabetes
Setting up a global registry to support research and awareness
Providing training modules for healthcare providers
The goal is to develop evidence-based guidelines within the next two years to improve diagnosis, management, and patient outcomes.
The Ongoing Challenge
Despite being more prevalent than tuberculosis and nearly as widespread as HIV/AIDS, Type 5 diabetes remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. The lack of formal recognition until now has significantly hindered both awareness and medical intervention.
The new recognition by IDF marks a critical step forward in understanding, treating, and preventing a disease that has long impacted vulnerable populations without proper acknowledgment.
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