MALNUTRITION-RELATED DIABETES MELLITUS (MRDM) – A DISTINCT ENTITY RECOGNIZED AS "TYPE 5 DIABETES" AMIDST ONGOING DEBATE

Abstract

Malnutrition-related diabetes, or type 5 diabetes mellitus (T5DM), is a neglected metabolic disease that develops from persistent undernutrition in the early stages of development. In contrast to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, T5DM is caused by decreased insulin production and impaired pancreatic growth rather than insulin resistance or autoimmune destruction. The illness mostly affects underprivileged people in low- and middle-income nations where poverty and food insecurity are pervasive. Inadequate maternal nutrition, recurrent childhood infections, and long-term nutritional deficiencies are its primary causes. Weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and exhaustion are symptoms that are similar to those of Type 1 diabetes and frequently appear in people with very low BMI. Due to overlapping characteristics with other forms of diabetes and the lack of established criteria, diagnosis is still difficult. Because of this, a lot of cases are incorrectly classified, which results in unsuitable treatment. Results indicate that customized glycemic control and nutritional rehabilitation are more important for successful management than just traditional diabetes treatment. Overall, T5DM highlights the critical need for more precise diagnostic guidelines and robust public health interventions by demonstrating the close relationship between malnutrition, socioeconomic inequality, and poor health outcomes.