Studies on maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) from S. India

Abstract

We examined the following aspects of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY): prevalence, vascular complications, insulin secretion in offspring of MODY subjects, insulin resistance and whether MODY can be considered a distinct disease. We report a higher prevalence of MODY among Asian Indian patients. The prevalence rates of microvascular complications in MODY were found to be the same as in classical NIDDM patients. Glucose stimulated insulin and C-peptide responses were compared with non-diabetic controls. In MODY subjects, C-peptide responses were lower, whereas insulin responses were varied. Insulin secretion in offspring of MODY subjects was similarly evaluated, and abnormalities discovered even in these prediabetic subjects. Using the euglycaemic clamp technique, MODY patients were found to be more insulin resistant than classical NIDDM patients. Further lines of evidence are needed to resolve whether MODY can be considered a distinct disease.