IDF Officially Recognizes Type 5 Diabetes, Citing Nutrient Deficiency as Root Cause
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized a fifth type of diabetes, previously known as malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM), after decades of scientific debate. This condition, which affects up to 25 million people globally, is distinct from types 1, 2, 3c, and gestational diabetes because it stems from chronic nutrient deficiencies rather than autoimmune destruction or insulin resistance. The IDF is urging the World Health Organization to adopt this classification to improve diagnosis and treatment, as current therapies for other diabetes types may be ineffective or harmful for type 5 patients. A new working group, chaired by endocrinologist Meredith Hawkins, has been established to develop diagnostic criteria, a global research registry, and training for healthcare professionals. The condition is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income nations in Asia and Africa, where food insecurity is widespread, and is increasingly recognized in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Proper recognition is critical because misdiagnosis can lead to dangerous complications, such as hypoglycemia, when inappropriate insulin treatments are administered to patients who remain sensitive to insulin but have compromised pancreatic development.
