- Although it is NOT recent, type “3c” or pancreatogenic diabetes represents 10% of all cases of diabetes in Western countries.
- Experts add that type “3c” or pancreatogenic diabetes could be suffered by up to one in 5 diagnosed with type 2 Mellitus.
- Type 3c diabetes is almost as common as type 1 diabetes and is mistaken for type 2 diabetes in about 87% of cases.
In addition to the best known, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, experts add the type “3c” or pancreatogenic diabeteswho could suffer up to one in 5 diagnosed with Type 2 Mellitus.
diabetes mellitus secondary to diseases of the pancreas, type “3c” diabetes, is a condition that is rarely addressed in clinical practice guidelines, clinical trials.
As explained from the Spanish Society of Diabetestype “3c” diabetes, also called pancreatogenic, is characterized by an inflammation of the pancreas that interrupts the production of insulin.
Currently there are few specific markers to identify itwhich is why it is often misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
It is estimated that this type of diabetes it represents between 5 and 10% of all cases of diabetes diagnosed in Western countries.
“Recent data shows that it could be more common than is thought, accounting for up to 20% of cases.”
A recent study of more than 1,800 hospitalized patients showed that up to 49% of patients with “3c” diabetes were incorrectly classified, most of them as DM2.
Therefore, distinguishing type “3c” DM from types 1 and 2 DM is important because its pathophysiological origin is different, “which implies taking into account that DMT3c requires a different treatment strategy,” experts point out.
Type 3c diabetes is almost as common as type 1 diabetes
Type 3c diabetes, often confused and misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, It is characterized by an inflammation of the pancreas that interrupts the production of insulin.
It is an underdiagnosed entity, but it is of great importance to make a correct diagnosis, since it has implications both in the treatment and in the possibility of diagnosing an underlying alteration in the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer, which could allow an early diagnosis of the same.
Type 3c diabetes is almost as common as type 1 diabetes and is mistaken for type 2 diabetes in about 87% of cases. The main causes of type 3c diabetes are chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic tumors, hemochromatosis, and pancreatic surgeries. Its prevalence is around 8% of diagnosed diabetes.
The average age of diagnosis is around 55-60 years, more frequent in men and the most common way of diagnosing it is the finding of asymptomatic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) in a routine control analysis. In case of giving symptoms, they are those of diabetes derived from high blood sugar levels (polyuria (increased diuresis) and polydipsia (increased thirst and fluid intake) with or without weight loss.
Diagnostic criteria include:
- major criteria
- Exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (the part of the pancreas involved in digestion)
- Alteration of the anatomical appearance of the pancreas seen by imaging studies (endoscopy, ultrasound, MRI or scanner)
- Absence of anti-beta cell antibodies (positive in type 1 diabetes / LADA)
- minor criteria
- Absence of pancreatic polypeptide secretion
- decreased insulin secretion
- Low levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
- Nutrient malabsorption, requiring pancreatic enzyme supplementation
Data from our center indicate that 54% of patients with pancreatic disease have diabetes, with 43% having pancreatic diabetes or type 3c.
The treatment It is insulin adapting the modality to the patient’s habits, number of intakes, etc.
The quality of life of people with type 3 c diabetes is mainly determined by the associated underlying pancreatic disease and its severity and possible associated malnutrition.
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