The history of its discovery: from “type J” to “type 5.”

This form of diabetes was first described in 1955 in Jamaica. At the time, physician Philip Hugh-Jones noticed symptoms of diabetes in 13 patients that didn’t fit into either type 1 or type 2. He tentatively named this condition “type J,” but the term never gained widespread acceptance.

Only several decades later did the World Health Organization classify this condition as “malnutrition-associated diabetes.” However, in 1999, this designation was abandoned due to insufficient data.

And only now, almost 70 years later, has the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) officially introduced a new name—type 5 diabetes.

How is it different from other forms of diabetes?

Diabetes develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively. The most common type is type 2 diabetes, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases and typically associated with obesity, lifestyle, and heredity.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body almost completely stops producing insulin.

Type 5 diabetes is unique. Experts estimate that up to 25 million people worldwide may suffer from it, with most not even aware of their diagnosis. These are most often adolescents and young adults from low- and middle-income countries. These patients are usually mistakenly considered to have type 1 diabetes.

Who is at risk?

There are no definitive data for the United States yet, and the American Diabetes Association has not yet officially listed type 5 diabetes as a disease. However, experts suggest that the following may be at increased risk:

Refugees and migrants,

people with eating disorders,

and individuals who have suffered from long-term malnutrition. Symptoms: What to Look Out For

The symptoms of type 5 diabetes are mainly similar to those of type 1 diabetes:

constant thirst,

frequent urination,

headaches,

vision impairment,

chronic fatigue,

slow wound healing.

These symptoms often overlap with signs of malnutrition—severe weight loss, weakness, and constant hunger. According to the Mayo Clinic, such patients typically have a body mass index below 18.5, meaning they are underweight.

Why Standard Treatment Doesn’t Always Work

Studies show that people with type 5 diabetes still produce insulin and are not resistant to it. However, their pancreas is underdeveloped due to prolonged malnutrition and is unable to make the hormone in sufficient quantities.

Therefore, conventional insulin therapy, as in type 1 or type 2 diabetes, is often ineffective. Doctors are currently exploring alternative approaches, including:

a high-protein diet,

a diet rich in zinc, B vitamins, and magnesium,

The cautious use of low insulin doses.

New research confirms the problem.

Interest in type 5 diabetes has increased following the publication of the YODA (Young-Onset Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa) study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Scientists examined nearly 900 young patients in Cameroon, Uganda, and South Africa who had previously been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The analysis showed that approximately two-thirds of them lacked the autoimmune markers characteristic of type 1 diabetes. However, they retained partial insulin production—more than in type 1, but less than in type 2. An international group of 50 researchers from 11 countries has called on the global medical community to officially recognize type 5 diabetes, emphasizing that misdiagnosis has already negatively impacted the lives of millions of people.