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Metabolic Syndrome pp 601–617Cite as

Type 2 Diabetes: Etiology, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Treatment

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Abstract

Diabetes is one of the largest health problems facing the world today. It is estimated that by the year 2030 over 7 % of the world’s adult population will have diabetes. Numerous risk factors play into an individual’s risk of developing diabetes. Some are modifiable such as obesity, diet, and exercise. Other risk factors including genetic and environmental factors are topics of ongoing research. The physiology of diabetes is a complex interplay between beta-cell function and insulin resistance. Other hormones such as GLP-1 and leptin also play a role. The classic presentation of type 2 diabetes is polyuria, polydipsia, and unintentional weight loss. However, many people are diagnosed with diabetes on routine screening either with a hemoglobin A1c test or an oral glucose tolerance test. The treatment of type 2 diabetes is multifaceted and crosses multiple disciplines. Patient education regarding diet and exercise and adjustment of modifiable risk factors remain the cornerstone of treatment. Patients should be screened for microvascular and macrovascular complications. While studies have shown a benefit of intensive glycemic control for type 2 diabetes in reducing microvascular complications, the effect on macrovascular complications has been less clear. Long-term studies do suggest that good glycemic control near the time of diagnosis can have beneficial impact decades later.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Carrie Burns & Imali Sirisena

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  1. Carrie Burns
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  2. Imali Sirisena
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Correspondence to Carrie Burns .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

  2. Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

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Burns, C., Sirisena, I. (2016). Type 2 Diabetes: Etiology, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Treatment. In: Ahima, R.S. (eds) Metabolic Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11251-0_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11251-0_34

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