Type 1 Diabetes
A 32-year-old woman with schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes has gained 6 kg and her glucose is high.
Treatment at a glance
- Metformin (with lifestyle change)
What our notes say
- A 32-year-old woman with schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes has gained 6 kg and her glucose is high. (Clinical Pharmacology I (MBPL 4400) main exam: 25 January 2023)
- Prediabetes is characterised by an increased risk for the future development of type 2 diabetes (Internal Medicine 4th Year Endocrinology CAT: 30 MCQs)
- The rise in insulin concentration after a meal is reduced in type 1 but not in type 2 diabetes (Internal Medicine 4th Year Endocrinology CAT: 30 MCQs)
- A random glucose of 11.1 or more is diagnostic, and low insulin sensitivity belongs to type 2 diabetes. (Paediatrics end of fourth year main exam: 1 July 2019, Paper One, 99 of 100 MCQs)
- A 58-year-old male with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted from a peripheral health facility with a 5-day history of right lower limb swelling, blistering, and confusion. (Antimicrobial selection, stewardship and resistance)
- A 19-year-old with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes asks about future kidney complications. (Internal Medicine End of Semester CAT (MBChB 4): haematology and renal, 30 MCQs )
Study material on Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes
- Clinical Endocrinology Cases: Pituitary Tumour, PCOS, Type 1 Diabetes — Notes
- Davidson's Essentials of Medicine - 2nd
- Harrisons Cardiovascular Medicine 2nd Edition 2
- Devendra K. Gupta, Krishna M. Goel - Hutchison’s Paediatrics. chdhe-Jaypee Brothers (2012)
- Internal Medicine 4th Year Endocrinology CAT: 30 MCQs
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Pancreatic Disorders: A Comprehensive Review — Study Notes
- Hypothyroidism
- Clinical Endocrinology Cases: Pituitary Tumour, PCOS, Type 1 Diabetes, and HHS — Essay Questions
- Weekly Year 2: Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics Exam - July 17, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- COMPLEX MULTIGENIC AND CYTOGENETIC DISORDERS - 50 MCQs
- Genetic Disorders MCQs Examination (Part 2)
- Complex Multigenic and Cytogenetic Disorders MCQs
- MCQ: Gastrointestinal Pathology
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Practice questions on Type 1 Diabetes
In complex multigenic disorders, what percentage of type 1 diabetes risk is contributed by a few HLA alleles?
- 25%
- 75%
- Usually mediated by non-specific mechanisms
- More than 50%
- 40%
Answer: D. Of the 20 to 30 genes implicated in type 1 diabetes, a few HLA alleles contribute more than 50% of the risk, demonstrating that different polymorphisms vary significantly in their contribution.
Which environmental factor is most commonly associated with unmasking the genetic trait in type 2 diabetes mellitus?
- Alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Mostly unchanged in early disease
- Smoking
- Stress
Answer: B. Type 2 diabetes often first manifests clinically after weight gain, demonstrating how obesity as an environmental factor unmasks the diabetic genetic trait.
How many genes are most important among the 20 to 30 genes implicated in type 1 diabetes?
- Usually mediated by non-specific mechanisms
- 2 to 3
- 10 to 12
- 6 to 7
- 15 to 20
Answer: D. Of the 20 to 30 genes implicated in type 1 diabetes, 6 or 7 are considered most important, demonstrating that polymorphisms vary in significance.
In Type 1 Diabetes, which HLA haplotypes confer the strongest susceptibility?
- HLA-B27
- HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4
- HLA-A3
- HLA-DR2
Answer: B. The HLA-DR3/DQ2 and HLA-DR4/DQ8 haplotypes are most strongly associated with the risk of developing Type 1 DM.
What is the role of CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes?
- They cause direct islet cell lysis
- They produce insulin antibodies
- They stimulate beta cell proliferation
- They prevent inflammation
Answer: A. Type 1 DM is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease where CD8+ cytotoxic T cells directly destroy insulin-producing beta cells.
A patient with polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and fruity-smelling breath is most likely to have which finding that would be LEAST characteristic of untreated type 1 diabetes?
- Marked insulin deficiency
- Ketoacidosis
- Dehydration
- Elevated plasma glucose
- Obesity as a defining feature
Answer: E. The presentation is characteristic of severe insulin deficiency with hyperglycemia, dehydration and possible ketoacidosis. Obesity is not a defining feature of type 1 diabetes, although body weight varies among individuals.