Is diabetes mellitus a continuous spectrum?
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus has been historically divided into type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with type 1 being an autoimmune disease and type 2 being primarily a metabolic disease.


BACKGROUND
The current diabetes classification scheme needs to be reevaluated because of the accumulating evidence of immune system involvement in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
There are similarities and differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes with regard to pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and genetics. We propose a resolution to the dilemma of the current classification scheme.
Department of Medicine, DVA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. bbrooks@u.washington.edu
Barbara
B
Brooks-Worrell
Jerry P
JP
Palmer
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans