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Medical Emergencies · single question

A patient has type 1 diabetes. Which statement about type 1 diabetes is NOT true?

  1. Patients require exogenous insulin for survival
  2. It results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
  3. Insulin resistance is the primary mechanism
  4. It typically presents in childhood or young adulthood
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Correct answer: C. Insulin resistance is the primary mechanism

  • A. Incorrect — this IS true. Without exogenous insulin, type 1 DM patients develop life-threatening DKA.
  • B. Incorrect — this IS true. Type 1 DM is autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells.
  • C. Correct — NOT true. Insulin RESISTANCE is the hallmark of TYPE 2 DM. In type 1, the problem is absolute insulin DEFICIENCY from beta cell destruction. The body has normal insulin sensitivity.
  • D. Incorrect — this IS true. Type 1 DM typically presents in the first three decades of life.

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