Diabetes Disorders

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to a lack of insulin production or an inability to effectively use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter cells where it can be used for energy. When the body cannot properly use or produce insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to a range of health complications over time.

There are several types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections or use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels.
• Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of cases. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes can often be managed with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and medication.
• Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after delivery. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Other types of diabetes: There are several less common types of diabetes, including monogenic diabetes (caused by a single gene mutation), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and drug-induced diabetes.

Monogenic disorders, also known as single-gene disorders, are a type of genetic disorder that are caused by a mutation in a single gene. Unlike complex disorders, which are caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors, monogenic disorders are caused by a single gene that is either missing or mutated.

Monogenic disorders can be inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive pattern. In an autosomal dominant pattern, the mutated gene is located on one of the non-sex chromosomes (autosomes) and only one copy of the mutated gene is needed to cause the disorder. In an autosomal recessive pattern, both copies of the gene must be mutated to cause the disorder.