Diabetes mellitus type 1 historical perspective

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Case #1

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Devarkonda, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Term "diabetes" was first described in the literature by a Egyptian scientist Eberes papyrus in 1500 BC. Discovery of insulin by Friedrick Banting in 1921-22, was considered as an important landmark in understanding the nature of disease. In 1970, the autoimmune nature of the type 1 diabetes has been discovered.

Historical Perspective

• Historically diabetes is an ancient disease, Term diabetes was first described in the literature by Egyptian scientist Eberes papyrus, around 1500 BC.
• The following are important events in understanding of diabetes history:
  • In 1866, Harley reported two distinct forms of disease requiring diametrically opposing form of treatment.
  • In 1921-22, Canadian physician Fredrick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best were credited with discovering the hormone insulin in the pancreatic extracts of dogs.
  • In 1930's, Harold Himsworth demonstrated the effect of insulin injection in patients who swallowed a simultaneous dose of glucose.
  • In 1951, John Lister concluded that there were two broad groups of diabetics: The young, thin, non-arteriosclerotic group with normal blood pressure and usually an acute onset to the disease and the older, obese, arteriosclerotic group with hypertension and usually an insidious onset.
  • In 1970's, type 1 diabetes was described as an autoimmune disease in the 1970s, based on observations that autoantibodies against islets were discovered in diabetics with other autoimmune deficiencies.
  • In 1980's, Immunosuppressive therapies could slow disease progression, further supporting the idea that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder.
  • In 1996, World Health Organization (WHO) opted for a classification based upon aetiology, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes became the accepted terms.