Which of the following best describes type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A.
Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
B.
Onset typically occurs in adulthood.
C.
Caused by an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
D.
Mainly managed through oral hypoglycemic agents.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
C. Caused by an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
Explanation:
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune condition characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin. This destruction is primarily mediated by the body’s own immune system, which mistakenly targets and destroys these insulin-producing cells. As a result, individuals with T1DM have little to no insulin production, necessitating lifelong insulin replacement therapy.
Here’s a breakdown of why the other options are incorrect:
A. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. This description is more characteristic of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In T2DM, insulin resistance (where the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin) and a relative insulin deficiency (where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance) are common features. Type 1 diabetes, however, involves absolute insulin deficiency due to the autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
B. Onset typically occurs in adulthood. Type 1 diabetes commonly presents in childhood or adolescence, though it can occur at any age. The misconception that it only affects young people might stem from its prevalence in younger populations, but the disease can also be diagnosed in adults, albeit less commonly. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in adults, often related to lifestyle factors and insulin resistance.
D. Mainly managed through oral hypoglycemic agents. Oral hypoglycemic agents are primarily used in the management of Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy because the primary issue is the complete lack of insulin production. Oral medications are not effective in managing Type 1 diabetes since they do not address the fundamental problem of absent insulin production.
Thus, Type 1 diabetes is best described by option C, due to its autoimmune nature leading to the destruction of pancreatic beta cells and consequent insulin deficiency.