Diabetes mellitus is characterizes by impared glucose metabolism due to inadequate insulin secretion or insulin resistance.
The prevalence of type 1 diabetes remained nearly constant in the past decades. But the frequency of type 2 diabetes is still increasing and it reached 10% in some developed countries. Environmental factors contribute a lot to the development of type 2 diabetes but it is obvious that hereditary factors contribute too. This is especially true for late omplications of diabetes. These complications are an increasing health problem. Diabetic retinopathy is a common reason for aquired blindness and about 50% of patients on dialysis are diabetics.
The type of diabetes has to be established first. In cases with not secure type 1 diabetes the possibility of MODY-diabetes should be checked. If this is not the case the estimation of molecular genetic risk factors can be considered.
Only in some few cases diabetes is caused by a monogenetic autosomal dominant form. In most cases diabetes is the result of a polygenetic disposition along with environmental influences. In these cases only risk factors can be defined by molecular testing.
Polyuria | |
Polyuria is an early symptom of diabetes mellitus. It is osmotic diuresis that results from poorly controled blood glucose. |
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Proteinuria | |
Microalbuminuria is an early symptom of renal damage in diabetes mellitus. In severe diabetic nephropathy proteinuria can reach the nephrotic range. |
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Fajans SS et al. (2001) Molecular mechanisms and clinical pathophysiology of maturity-onset diabetes of the young. |
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Horikawa Y et al. (2000) Genetic variation in the gene encoding calpain-10 is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. |
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Orphanet article Orphanet ID 181371 |
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Wikipedia article Wikipedia EN (Diabetes_mellitus) |