Which type of diabetes is related to autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells?

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This process results in little to no insulin production, which is crucial for regulating blood glucose levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly identifies these beta cells as foreign and attacks them, leading to the onset of hyperglycemia when blood glucose levels rise due to the lack of insulin.

This form of diabetes typically develops in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. The knowledge surrounding Type 1 diabetes emphasizes the relationship between autoimmune processes and the destruction of pancreatic function, which distinguishes it from other forms of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is primarily associated with insulin resistance and is more related to lifestyle factors and genetics rather than an autoimmune process. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth, while latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is often considered a slow-progressing form of Type 1 diabetes that manifests in adults, indicating that while it shares characteristics with Type 1 diabetes, it is a different clinical entity.