Monogenic Diabetes: Does Making the Diagnosis Matter?

Monogenic Diabetes: Does Making the Diagnosis Matter?

Monogenic diabetes (maturity onset diabetes in the young; MODY) should be considered as a diagnosis
in the young person diagnosed with ‘atypical’ type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Insulin may be ceased
in patients with certain types of MODY and be replaced by sulfonylurea monotherapy, often to the
great relief of patients. Monogenic diabetes due to glucokinase (GCK) gene mutation usually remains
mild and nonprogressive and unless more significant glucose elevation develops may be controlled
by lifestyle measures alone. Patients with gestational diabetes should be referred for specialist review
as treatment of patients with diabetes due to GCK mutation may adversely affect the foetus if the foetus
has inherited this mutation.

Modern Medicine – July 2017