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.

Historical Perspective

Historically diabetes is an ancient disease, Term diabetes was first described in the literature by Egyptian scientist Eberes papyrus around 1500 BC. Few of the important events in understanding the nature of disease are following:

• 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 1)  the young, thin, non-arteriosclerotic group with normal blood pressure and usually an acute onset to the disease 2) 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.