What
are the types and risk factors of Diabetes?
The following types of diabetes and some
of their risk factors are quoted from the National
Diabetes Fact Sheet: National estimates and general
information on diabetes in the United States (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta, GA:
US Department of Health and Human Services, 1997):
Type 1 Diabetes: was previously
called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes may
account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of
diabetes. Risk factors are less well defined for
type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but
autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors
are involved in the development of this type of
diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes: was previously
called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes
may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed
cases of diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
include older age, obesity, family history of
diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes,
impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity,
and race/ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino
Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high
risk for type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes: develops
in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears
when a pregnancy is over. Gestational diabetes
occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino
Americans, American Indians, and people with a
family history of diabetes than in other groups.
Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women
who have had gestational diabetes are at increased
risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. In
some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history
of gestational diabetes developed diabetes in
the future.
Other specific types of Diabetes:
result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery,
drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.
Such types of diabetes may account for 1% to 2%
of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. |
