From the Guidelines
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Insulin Resistance are not the same, although they are closely related: T2DM is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative insulin deficiency, whereas insulin resistance is a condition in which the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to increased blood sugar levels 1.
Key Differences
- Insulin Resistance: a condition in which the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to increased blood sugar levels 1.
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative insulin deficiency 1.
Relationship Between T2DM and Insulin Resistance
- Insulin resistance is a key feature of T2DM, and it is often present before the diagnosis of T2DM 1.
- T2DM is characterized by a relative defect in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, which is insufficient to compensate for insulin resistance 1.
- Insulin resistance may improve with weight reduction, physical activity, and/or pharmacologic treatment of hyperglycemia, but it is seldom restored to normal 1.
Clinical Implications
- The risk of developing T2DM increases with age, obesity, and lack of physical activity 1.
- Simple tests to detect preclinical disease are readily available, and there are effective interventions that prevent progression from prediabetes to diabetes 1.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of T2DM are crucial to prevent macrovascular and microvascular complications 1.
From the Research
Definition and Characteristics
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a major healthcare condition characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose levels resulting from peripheral insulin resistance and reduced insulin production 2.
- Insulin Resistance (IR) is a cardinal feature of T2DM, associated with multiple metabolic abnormalities that are known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors 3.
- T2DM is a heterogeneous condition related to both defective insulin secretion and peripheral insulin resistance, with beta cells playing a crucial role in secreting insulin 4.
Pathogenesis and Relationship
- Insulin resistance is a major cause of T2DM, leading to elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels, which increases beta-cell mass and insulin secretion to compensate for insulin insensitivity 4.
- The combination of genetic and acquired abnormalities affecting insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion contributes to the pathogenesis of T2DM 5.
- Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion are both important factors in the development of T2DM, with targeting both being essential to prevent the disorder and improve glycemic control 5.
Key Differences
- T2DM is characterized by insulin resistance, whereas type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by inadequate insulin secretion/production or excessive glucagon secretion 6.
- Insulin resistance is a key feature of T2DM, but not the sole cause, as impaired insulin secretion also plays a crucial role in the development of the disorder 3, 4, 5.