Type 5 diabetes is a, recently recognized form of diabetes caused by chronic, severe undernutrition, particularly in children and young adults in low- and middle-income regions. Often called Malnutrition-Related Diabetes Mellitus (MRDM), it involves an damaged, atrophied pancreas that cannot produce enough insulin, but differs from Type 1 (no autoantibodies) and Type 2 (usually lean, not obese).
Key details about Type 5 diabetes:
Cause: Long-term lack of essential nutrients, protein, and calories, sometimes beginning in the womb (maternal malnutrition) or early childhood.
Characteristics: Occurs in lean individuals (BMI less than 18.5). It is associated with high insulin requirements, pancreatic atrophy, and sometimes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Distinction: Unlike Type 1, it lacks autoimmune markers; unlike Type 2, it is not associated with insulin resistance or obesity.
Symptoms: High blood sugar, extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss.
Prevalence: Affects approximately 25 million people globally, primarily in regions of Africa and Asia.
Treatment: Requires insulin, although the patient may sometimes be resistant to it.
History: Initially identified in 1955 as "J-type" or malnutrition-related diabetes, it has recently gained formal recognition as a distinct type by organizations like the International Diabetes Federation.
