MedGen

In addition to classic type 1 (see 222100) and type 2 (see 125853) diabetes mellitus, atypical presentations are seen, particularly in populations of African ancestry. Ketosis-prone diabetes, the most common atypical form, is characterized by an acute initial presentation with severe hyperglycemia and ketosis, as seen in classic type 1 diabetes, but after initiation of insulin therapy, prolonged remission is often possible with cessation of insulin therapy and maintenance of appropriate metabolic control. Metabolic studies show a markedly blunted insulin secretory response to glucose, partially reversible with the improvement of blood glucose control. Variable levels of insulin resistance are observed, especially in obese patients. Pancreatic beta-cell autoimmunity is a rare finding, and association with type 1 susceptibility HLA alleles is variable (Sobngwi et al., 2002). [from OMIM]