Complex Diabetes
Answers to common questions about complex diabetes.
Questions on this page
What is complex diabetes?
Complex diabetes refers to diabetes that does not fit neatly into the usual pattern of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or diabetes complicated by multiple medical conditions.
Why can diabetes be difficult to classify?
Diabetes can result from:
- Autoimmune disease
- Insulin resistance
- Pancreatic disease
- Genetic disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Medications
- Certain infections or other medical conditions
What is atypical diabetes?
Atypical diabetes refers to diabetes with features that do not fit the usual clinical pattern of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
What is LADA?
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a form of autoimmune diabetes that develops in adulthood and may initially resemble type 2 diabetes.
What is ketosis-prone diabetes?
Ketosis-prone diabetes is a heterogeneous form of diabetes in which a person may present with diabetic ketoacidosis but does not necessarily have the typical features of classic type 1 diabetes.
What is secondary diabetes?
Secondary diabetes occurs because of another condition or treatment, such as:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Pancreatic surgery
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cystic fibrosis
- Haemochromatosis
- Certain endocrine disorders
- Long-term glucocorticoid therapy
Can diabetes be caused by hormonal disorders?
Yes. Conditions such as Cushing syndrome, acromegaly and certain other endocrine disorders can cause significant insulin resistance and diabetes.
What is monogenic diabetes?
Monogenic diabetes results from a genetic change affecting a single gene involved in glucose regulation.
MODY is one important group of monogenic diabetes.
Why is identifying the type of diabetes important?
The type and cause of diabetes influence:
- Medication choice
- Need for insulin
- Risk of complications
- Family screening
- Genetic counselling
- Long-term management