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Pathology · single question

DAY 2 — CASE 8: A patient has Type 2 diabetes. Regarding this metabolic disease, which statement is MOST accurate?

  1. It is caused by absolute insulin deficiency
  2. It primarily involves destruction of beta cells in the pancreas
  3. Most obese people develop this condition
  4. It only affects patients over 50
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Correct answer: C. Most obese people develop this condition

  • A. Absolute insulin deficiency is Type 1 DM, not Type 2.
  • B. BETA CELL DESTRUCTION is the hallmark of TYPE 1 diabetes (autoimmune destruction of islet beta cells → absolute insulin deficiency). In T2DM, beta cells are initially intact but produce insufficient insulin in the face of insulin resistance.
  • C. Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity — approximately 80–90% of T2DM patients are overweight or obese. Obesity causes insulin resistance, which is the primary pathophysiology of T2DM. The statement 'most obese people suffer from this' reflects the strong correlation, though not all obese individuals develop T2DM (genetic susceptibility varies).
  • D. T2DM increasingly affects younger adults and even adolescents due to rising obesity rates — it is not restricted to patients over 50.

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