(I posted this to the diabetes group, but thought it might also be of
interest to some folks on this group as an update to the various forms
of Diabetes.)

as of July 23/97
per: The American Diabetes Association
found at: http://www.mdcc.com/dx-class.htm#RotEC

New Definitions for the Types of Diabetes

if the results of a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test are:
- less than 6.1 mmol/L (110 mg/dl) --> NORMAL
- equal to or greater than 6.1 mmol/L (110 mg/dl) and
  less than 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dl) --> IMPAIRED GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS
- equal to or greater than 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dl) --> DIABETES

TYPE I is characterized by beta cell destruction, usually
leading to absolute insulin deficiency. It has two forms:

- Immune-Mediated Diabetes Mellitus: Results from a cellular
  mediated autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas.

-Idiopathic Diabetes Mellitus: Refers to forms of the disease
 that have no known etiologies.

TYPE II are diseases of insulin resistance that usually have
relative (rather than absolute) insulin deficiency which can
range from predominant insulin resistance with relative insulin
deficiency to predominant insulin deficiency with some insulin
resistance.

IMPAIRED GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS is a metabolic stage intermediate
between normal glucose homeostasis and diabetes. A risk factor
for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (a stage were glucose
is higher than normal, and less than diagnostic.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS
(no change in definition)

OTHER TYPES
Diabetes caused by other identifiable etiologies such as:
1. Genetic defects of beta cell function (e.g., MODY 1, 2, 3)
2. Genetic defects in insulin action
3. Diseases of the exocrine pancreas (e.g., cancer of the
   pancreas, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis)
4. Endocrinopathies (e.g., Cushing's)
5. Drug or chemical induced (e.g., steroids)
6. Infection (e.g., rubella, Coxsackie, CMV)
7. Uncommon forms of immune-related diabetes
8. Other genetic syndromes

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STONE and SPEAR Support Groups for Lifestyle Followers:
Information at: http://www.mountain-inter.net/~magnuson/