- A Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are now understood by endocrinologists to be essentially the exact same underlying disease process and pathology, arising from the identical autoimmune mechanism in every diagnosed patient regardless of age
- B Type 1: autoimmune destruction of beta cells, absolute insulin deficiency, requires insulin injection; Type 2: insulin resistance + relative deficiency, lifestyle-related, managed with diet/exercise/oral drugs
- C Type 2 diabetes is understood to consistently require a considerably higher daily insulin dosage than Type 1 diabetes ever does, because beta cell function is assumed to be equally impaired in both forms of the disease
- D Type 1 diabetes can typically be fully and permanently cured simply through sustained dietary changes and exercise alone, without ever requiring insulin injections or any other long-term pharmacological therapy
Correct answer: B. Type 1: autoimmune destruction of beta cells, absolute insulin deficiency, requires insulin injection; Type 2: insulin resistance + relative deficiency, lifestyle-related, managed with diet/exercise/oral drugs
Explanation: Type 1 DM: autoimmune attack destroys pancreatic beta cells; absolute insulin deficiency; onset usually in childhood; requires lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 DM: peripheral insulin resistance + progressive beta cell failure; strongly associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle; managed with lifestyle modification, metformin, and later insulin if needed.
Concept context
Pathogens, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, drugs, cancer, and public health. High NEET importance.