Metabolic disturbances in diabetes mellitus

of the many metabolic abnormalities present in diabetes that has been used to define the presence of this disease. Diabetes comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders, all characterized by hyperglycaemia, though the underlying pathogenesis differs amongst subgroups. Broadly speaking, diabetes mellitus can be divided into two categories based on the severity of insulin deficiency present. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by absolute insulin deficiency—insufficient to prevent unrestrained lipolysis during systemic illness or severe physical stress. On the other hand, some degree of insulin secretion is preserved in type 2 diabetes although it is inappropriate for the prevailing glucose concentration. This relative or absolute deficiency of insulin Chapter 31 Metabolic disturbances in diabetes mellitus Adrian Vella and Robert A. Rizza