How do people “get” Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes is not a disease that is contagious or that can
be “caught”. However, there are things which have been
linked to the disease, and thus may be said to increase
the susceptibility of “getting” diabetes.  Type 1
diabetes mellitus (DM) is the result of both genetic and
environmental interaction (McCance & Huether, 2006). The
genetic component is seen in that 10-13% of individuals
diagnosed with type 1 DM have a parent or sibling with
the same condition (McCance & Huether). Individuals with
Type 1 DM similarly have a 2-5% chance of passing it on
to their children (McCance & Huether). There are two
types of type 1 DM: Immune mediated DM (90%) and
nonimmune, or idiopathic (10%) (McCance & Huether). With
immune-mediated diabetes, there is cell mediated
destruction of the pancreatic beta cells because the
body does not recognize them as self, and thus attacks
(McCance & Huether). With idiopathic DM, there is a
secondary cause, such as pancreatitis, which results in
diabetes (McCance & Huether). 

Men are slightly more likely to “get” type 1 diabetes
and the incidence is also higher with non-Hispanic,
Northern European descent, African Americans and
Hispanic Americans (e Medicine Health, 2008). Although
the genetic component of type 1 DM is not clearly
understood, there are strong links to histocompatibility
leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR3 and DR4, with individual who
have HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4 being at 20-40 times greater
risk than the general population for having type 1 DM
(McCance & Huether, 2006). Environmental factors include
viruses such as cytomegaloviruses, mumps, rubella, and
Epstein-Barr virus (e Medicine Health; McCance &
Huether). Alloxan, Streptozotocin, Pentamidine, Vacor,
bovine milk and nitrosamines at high levels have also
been linked to type 1 DM (McCance & Huether); “Stress
may also advance development of type 1 DM” (McCance &
Huether, p. 703).

Type 2 DM is the more common form of diabetes, and its
prevalence is rising. The problem in type 2 DM is
insulin resistance and inadequate secretion of insulin
(American Diabetes Association, 2008). There is
increased incidence of type 2 DM in Native American,
Hispanic/Latino American, Asian Americans/Pacific
Islanders, and African Americans (American Diabetes
Association; e Medicine Health, 2008; McCance &
Huether). Individuals are also more likely to “get” type
2 DM if they are over 40 years of age, have a family
history of the disease, are female, have gone through
puberty, or have metabolic syndrome. Women who have
plycystic ovarian syndrome are seven times more likely
to develop diabetes (McCance & Huether). The biggest
risk factor for type 2 DM is being overweight with
60-80% of type 2 diabetics being obese (McCance &
Huether). Other risk factors include high blood
triglyceride levels, gestational diabetes or giving
birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds, high-fat
diet, high alcohol consumption, and inactivity (e
Medicine Health).

Thus, although there is a genetic component in both
types of diabetes (stronger in type 2), environmental
factors play a huge role in who “gets” diabetes. It is
important to eat healthy and exercise regularly to
decrease the changes of “getting” type 2 diabetes by
preventing excess glucose in the body. Sadly, with type
1 diabetes, there is little if anything that can be
prevented.

~ Sarah and Paige

References

American Diabetes Association (2008). Type 1 and 2
Diabetes. Retrieved on June 2,2008 from
www.diabetes.org. 

E Medicine Health (2008). Diabetes Mellitis. Retrieved
on June 2, 2008 from www.emedicinehealth.com/diabetes. 

McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2006).
Pathophysiology: the biologic basis for disease in
adults and children. Elsevier Mosby: Philadelphia.