A groundbreaking development in the field of diabetes research was announced recently at the World Congress of Diabetes 2025, where scientists revealed the existence of a new type of diabetes, referred to as Type 5. This condition is characterized by unique features that set it apart from the more commonly known Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Key Characteristics of Type 5 Diabetes
1. Demographics: Type 5 diabetes predominantly affects underweight individuals who do not have a family history of diabetes. This demographic mark a distinct departure from the profiles typically associated with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
2. Symptoms: Patients diagnosed with Type 5 diabetes do not present the usual symptoms commonly seen in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This has made diagnosis challenging and has previously contributed to misdiagnoses.
3. Physiological Differences: Research conducted by a team at Christian Medical College Vellore in India and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York identified key physiological differences in Type 5. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, where the body is resistant to insulin despite its production, individuals with Type 5 exhibit insulin deficiency without resistance. This allows a significant portion of Type 5 patients to manage their condition with oral medications rather than insulin therapy.
4. Epidemiology: Historically referred to as ‘J-type diabetes’ since its first observation in Jamaica during the 1960s, the condition was classified by the World Health Organization in 1985 but later removed due to insufficient evidence. Recent studies have brought this form back into the spotlight, with estimates suggesting around 25 to 30 million cases globally.
5. Nutritional Links: Type 5 diabetes has been associated with poor nutritional status, particularly in low-resource settings. Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m² are particularly prone to developing this type of diabetes, indicating a possible link to malnourishment during infancy.
Research and Future Directions
The announcement by Professor Peter Schwarz, president of the International Diabetes Federation, has led to an increased global focus on Type 5 diabetes. A global task force is being established to further explore the epidemiology and biology of this newly identified condition.
Dr. Nihal Thomas, an endocrinology expert, emphasized that awareness and understanding of Type 5 diabetes are crucial for effective management and treatment. This includes distinguishing it from conditions like MODY-5 (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young), which is genetically mediated.
-Raja Aditya
