Which type of diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease?

Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease because it involves the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction leads to little or no insulin production, necessitating lifelong insulin replacement therapy for the affected individuals.

In contrast, Type 2 diabetes primarily results from insulin resistance and is often associated with genetic factors, lifestyle, obesity, and age, rather than being an autoimmune process. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is related to hormonal changes that affect insulin sensitivity, but it is not an autoimmune condition. Prediabetes is a state where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes, and it does not involve the autoimmune processes seen in Type 1 diabetes. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the pathophysiology and management of different types of diabetes.