In early April, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) officially recognized a new version of the disease: Type 5 diabetes, associated with malnutrition. Although it was first described for the first time for almost 70 years, this type of diabetes is still underground and little understood.
Unlike type 2 diabetes – which is strongly overweight, bad eating habits and physical inactivity – type 5 mainly affects very lean individuals with severe nutritional deficiencies. According to IDF, it is estimated that between 20 million and 25 million people worldwide live with this condition, especially in countries in Asia and Africa.
“It is a disease that affects very low weight young people, usually with BMI [índice de massa corporal] Below 19, before the age of 30, ”explains endocrinologist Fernando Valente, director of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (SBD) and professor at ABC School of Medicine (FMABC) in São Paulo.
By these characteristics, the condition was often confused with type 1 diabetes – which also occurs in young and thin people. However, there are important differences between conditions: while type 1 is an autoimmune disease that quickly destroys insulin production by pancreas, type 5 is related to less pancreatic beta cell formation, often due to malnutrition in gestation or early childhood, an important phase of organs.
Although the exact mechanism of the disease is not yet fully known, one hypotheses is that it is associated with the low mass of pancreatic cells. “Therefore, the ability of insulin secretion of these people is lower; but, at the same time, greater than who has the type 1 of the disease,” explains the doctor.
To differentiate both types, two exams are essential: antibody dosage against pancreas (present in type 1) and insulin reserve analysis, measured by Peptide C. In type 1, this reserve runs out rapidly; In Type 5, there is still some insulin production – insufficient to control glucose, but sufficient to avoid serious complications such as diabetic cetoacidosis, which can be fatal when not treated in type 1. This residual insulin production is one of the main features that distinguish type 1 type 5 diabetes.
According to the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (SBD), there are no official data on the prevalence of the new type of diabetes in the country. Experts heard by the agency Einstein believe that many cases may be erroneously classified as Type 1. “There may be a underwear for ignorance of this type of diagnosis,” Valente speculates.
For endocrinologist Paulo Rosenbaum of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brazil has no significant clinical experience with this type of diabetes. “What we know is that the disease is associated with malnutrition and the use of insulin alone will not reverse the process,” he says.
In addition to insulin replacement, it is also important to offer adequate nutritional restructuring for patients with type 5 diabetes, with protein replacement, carbohydrates, micronutrients, electrolytes and other essential vitamins for the body’s functioning.
Type 5 is more common in men
IDF also noted that type 5 diabetes reaches more men than women, especially those living in rural areas, where access to diagnosis and treatment is more limited. Without correct diagnosis, many patients end without the necessary follow -up and without proper insulin replacement, which raises the risk of complications such as blindness, amputations and kidney disease.
Official recognition of type 5 diabetes was made during the 2025 World Diabetes Congress, which took place from April 7 to 10 in Bangkok, Thailand. IDF also announced the creation of a working group that, over the next two years, will be responsible for developing specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines for this form of diabetes. “This new classification serves to be aware of this type of diagnosis and will help us learn about it,” says Rosenbaum.
Is using continuous glucose monitor without diabetes indicated? Understand
This content was originally published in Understand what type 5 diabetes is, a new form of disease classification on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
