There are key differences between type I diabetes (IDDM) and type II diabetes (NIDDM). Type I is characterized by an insulin deficiency due to destruction of the beta cells and commonly occurs in younger, leaner patients. In contrast, type II involves resistance of tissues to insulin and generally affects older, overweight individuals. While type I requires lifelong insulin treatment and carries a higher mortality risk, type II can often be managed with oral medications and has a lower risk of death.

1. DIFFERENCES
D R N I L E S H N K A T E , P R O F E S S O R , P H Y S I O L O G Y , / D I F F E R E N C E S Page 8
Difference Between
IDDM (TYPE I) & NIDDM (TYPE II)
IDDM (TYPE I) NIDDM (TYPE II)
1
Defect – Insulin
Deficiency due to B
cell destruction.
Defect – Resistance of
target tissue to
insulin.
2
Prevalence – 10-
20%
80-90%
3
Age of onset < 40
years.
Age of onset > 40
years.
4 Body wt - Low Body wt - High
5
Gene focus –
chromosome 6
Gene focus –
chromosome 1
6
Duration of
symptoms - weeks
Duration of
symptoms – months,
years.
7
Acute complication
- Ketoacidosis
Acute complication –
Hyperosmolar coma.
8
Ketonuria -
Present
Ketonuria - Absent
9
Treatment -
Insulin
Treatment – oral
Hypoglycemic.
10 Mortality – High Mortality – Low.