5 New “Cluster-Based” Classifications of Diabetes
A Swedish analysis has identified 5 diabetic "clusters" that could aid diagnosis and individualize treatment. Scroll through our quick slideshow for details.
A novel anlaysis from Sweden redefines how traditional type 1 and type 2 diabetes are viewed. The investigators stratified a total of 8980 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes into 5 “clusters” based on risk of specific diabetic complications. The purpose of the reclassification was to identify diabetic subtypes that could better drive diagnosis and customized therapies to prevent complications.
Click through the slideshow above to learn more about each new cluster classification.
Cluster 1: Severe Autoimmune Diabetes (SAID). Characterized by early-onset diabetes, relatively low BMI, poor metabolic control, insulin deficiency, and GADA positive. Patients with SAID have a high risk of ketoacidosis.
Cluster 2: Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD). Characterized by young age at onset, relatively low BMI, poor metabolic control, low insulin secretion (HOMA2-B index), and GADA positive. Patients with SIDD have a high risk of diabetic retinopathy and ketoacidosis.
Cluster 3: Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes (SIRD). Characterized by insulin resistance (high HOMA2-IR index) and high BMI. Patients with SIRD have a high risk of diabetic kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Cluster 4: Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes (MOD). Characterized by very high BMI (obesity) and no insulin resistance.
Cluster 5: Mild Age-Related Diabetes (MARD). Characterized by older patients vs other clusters and minimal metabolic disorder.
Reference: Ahlqvist, E, Storm, P, Käräjämäki A, et al. Novel subgroups of adult-onset diabetes and their association with outcomes: a data-driven cluster analysis of six variables. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018;6:361-369.