Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized a new form of diabetes, the Type 5. It is estimated to affect between 20 to 25 million people globally, particularly across Asia and Africa.
Diabetes is a chronic condition caused by the body’s resistance to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. When insulin resistance occurs, the body is unable to effectively process glucose, leading to elevated blood sugar. The condition that, if left untreated, can result in serious complications, including heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and Indonesia is no exception to the trend. The newly recognized Type 5 diabetes, according to the IDF, has long gone underdiagnosed despite its considerable impact.
“The recognition of Type 5 diabetes marks a historic shift in the way we understand and address the disease globally,” said IDF President Professor Peter Schwarz. “This condition has gone unrecognized for far too long, affecting millions of lives.”
While Type 1 diabetes is triggered by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, and Type 2 by the body’s inability to effectively use insulin, Type 5 diabetes stands apart. First identified in Jamaica in 1955, Type 5 diabetes is linked to severe insulin deficiency caused by long-term malnutrition.
Children and adolescents are typically the most affected by the new type diabetes, with the majority of cases found in regions across Asia and Africa.
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Classified medically as Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD), this form of diabetes is characterized by low insulin production and poor metabolic control. It is commonly found in developing nations where chronic childhood and adolescent malnutrition is prevalent.
The condition arises when prolonged nutrient deficiency impairs the pancreas’s ability to function properly. A compromised pancreas results in poor or imbalanced insulin production, leading to dangerously high blood sugar levels. In turn, this causes symptoms such as extreme fatigue and rapid weight loss and often leading to misdiagnosis.
In response to the growing concern, the IDF has established a specialized medical task force to advance research and develop targeted treatments for Type 5 diabetes. The move reflects a renewed global focus on understanding malnutrition-related diabetes and its impact on public health in low-income regions.
(Raidi/Agung)
