The Singapore Family Physician
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Vol 36 No. 3 - Cardiovascular, Risk Factors, and Consequences
Understanding patients with Diabetic Nephropathy and its current day management in Primary Care
The Singapore Family Physician
Vol 36
No 3
- Cardiovascular, Risk Factors, and Consequences
19
- 22
1 July 2010
0377-5305
There are two groups of diabetic patients that we may encounter in our clinic practice, be it primary or tertiary care facilities. Type I Diabetes
mellitus (Dm) is characterized by insulin deficiency at the onset of the disease and Type II Dm is characterized by insulin insensitivity (inability of cells to utilize glucose properly
despite adequate insulin). Type I Dm is an autoimmune disease against the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas and tends to occur in the younger lean
population (usually before age 30). Type II Dm on the contrary is more common in the older obese population (though recent trend showed an alarming increase of
type II Dm even amongst teens albeit obese teens). There are presently more teens suffering from type II Dm than type I Dm worldwide.