Pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

In general it can be said that, although the direct causative factor in the genesis of diabetes can be recognised in a very few individuals, the aetiology of the disease in most diabetics is completely unknown. There is clearly a potent genetic element, ill understood but probably associated with an inadequate insulin secretion in response to glucose (Luft and Cerasi, 1968). Superadded to this, factors such as obesity, pregnancy, or other endocrine factors may determine the onset of the disease. Finally there is a strong likelihood that an additional acquired factor may be important in inducing a direct destructive effect on the islet cell. Such a factor may be toxic, autoinmmune or perhaps viral, of which the last, perhaps, may be the most likely, though this is very far from proven.