Type 1s and 2s to be reclassified....

[goji]

Found this article today that says:

GPs will have to re-assess around 40% of people with type-1 diabetes and 6% with type-2 diabetes, following the development of a new classification system.

Research on patient records, used to underpin the guidelines, showed that around 40% of people classified as having type-1 diabetes actually have type-2 diabetes.

In addition, around 6% of those diagnosed with type-2 diabetes probably do not have the condition, the investigation suggested.

http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/ ... reRepublic

I don't see how they could have got so many type 1 diabetes diagnoses wrong? Why would anyone classed as Type 1 not be put on insulin?

Goji

 

[Celtic.Piskie]

Where does it say that?

Some people are classed as type 1 and put on insulin, when in fact they are type 2. They probably still need insulin, but they are type 2 rather than 1.
Some people are classed as type 2, but aren't diabetic. Maybe they have pre-diabetes, or they simply are on the higher end of the scale.

At the time of diagnosis, when you get your sugars under control some peope require no insulin during the 'honeymoon' period. The pancreas is working a little under par, and it will die, but it's still alive, for a while anyway.

 

[goji]

Where does it say that?

The quote is taken from the article.

I understand that some Type 1s have a honeymoon (I was one of them) but if doctors do the right tests on diagnosis (eg. Cpeptide or insulin levels) then you'd think it would be fairly clear what kind of diabetes someone has.

 

[phoenix]

To be classed as type-1, a patient must have been put on insulin immediately after diagnosis (if aged over 35 years) or within six months of diagnosis (if under 35

This is not the same criteria that is used for the 'official' WHO definition of type 1 which includes LADA as a form of type 1. People with LADA can survive on oral medications fro a while. Elswhere in Europe they are normally put straight on insulin (if correctly diagnosed). In the UK this is not the case.
Actually, I doubt very much that doctors in the UK are any better at initial diagnosis than in Australia.... sometimes things are not clear cut, especially if the necessary tests aren't done. In a survey conducted by Australia’s Type 1 Diabetes Network, one third of all Australians with type 1 diabetes reported being initially misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. We've also seen several instances of misdiagnosis on the forum.
There are possible implications for people in the UK with this form of type I . If not classified as such, they may not be entitled to go on DAFNE courses or to seek insulin pumps for example.