Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by severe insulin deficiency, making patients dependent on exogenous insulin replacement for survival. These patients can experience life-threatening events when their glucose levels are significantly abnormal. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10% of all diabetes cases, with type 2 accounting for most of the remainder. This review details the pathophysiology, stabilization and assessment, diagnosis and treatment, disposition and outcomes of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Figures show the opposing actions of insulin and glucagon on substrate flow and plasma levels; plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels throughout the day; the structure of human proinsulin; current view of the pathogenesis of Type 1 autoimmune diabetes mellitus; pathways that lead from insulin deficiency to the major clinical manifestations of Type 1 diabetes mellitus; relationship between hemoglobin A1c values at the end of a 3-month period and calculated average glucose levels during the 3-month period; different combinations of various insulin preparations used to establish glycemic control; and basal-bolus and insulin pump regimens. Tables list the etiologic classification of Type 1 diabetes mellitus, typical laboratory findings and monitoring in diabetic ketoacidosis, criteria for the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, clinical goals of Type 1 diabetes treatment, and insulin preparations. This review contains 10 figures, 9 tables, and 40 references. Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, optimal glycemic control, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, HbA1c, medical nutrition therapy, Diabetic Ketoacidosis