Diabetes mellitus type 2 causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]

Overview

The underlying cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. The exact cause of insulin resistance is not known, however several theories exist. There is often an interplay of multiple risk factors coupled with the effect of environmental factors in a genetically susceptible person, which results in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Central obesity, aging, sedentary life style, high glycemic diets and some medications are most commonly implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Causes

The etiology of type 2 diabetes is multifactorial.^[1] There is often an interplay of multiple risk factors coupled with the effect of environmental factors in a genetically susceptible person, which results in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Numerous theories exist as to the exact cause and mechanism in type 2 diabetes.

Common causes of diabetes mellitus type 2 may include:^[2]^[3]

Insulin resistance
Central obesity
- Predispose individuals to insulin resistance
- Abdominal fat is especially active hormonally, secreting a group of hormones called adipokines that may possibly impair glucose tolerance
- Obesity is found in approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
- In the last decade, type 2 diabetes has increasingly begun to affect children and adolescents, likely in connection with the increased prevalence of childhood obesity
Positive family history
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 is much more common in those with close relatives who have type 2 DM

References

↑ Salinero-Fort MA, San Andrés-Rebollo FJ, Gómez-Campelo P, de Burgos-Lunar C, Cárdenas-Valladolid J, Abánades-Herranz JC, Otero-Puime A, Jiménez-García R, López-de-Andrés A, de Miguel-Yanes JM (2017). “Body mass index and all-cause mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Findings from the 5-year follow-up of the MADIABETES cohort”. Eur. J. Intern. Med. doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2017.06.021. PMID 28679485.
↑ Eberhart, MS (November 19, 2004). “Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults with Diagnosed Diabetes — United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2002”. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 53 (45): 1066–1068. Retrieved 2007-03-11. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2004). “Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults with diagnosed diabetes–United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2002”. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 53 (45): 1066–8. PMID 15549021.
↑ Jack, L., Jr., Boseman, L. & Vinicor, F. Aging Americans and diabetes. A public health and clinical response. Geriatrics 2004, 59, 14-17.

Overview