| Variable | Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent) Diabetes Mellitus | Type 2 (Non–Insulin-Dependent) Diabetes Mellitus |
|---|
| Endogenous (naturally occurring) insulin | Absolute deficiency of insulin; pancreas produces no insulin | Relative insufficiency of insulin |
| Dependence on exogenous insulin | Total dependence on insulin injections for remainder of life | Varies; disease may be controlled by combination of: diet, exercise, oral hypoglycemics, and insulin injections |
| Typical onset | Abrupt | Insidious |
| Age at onset | Anytime during childhood years; usually before age 20 | Most common between age 40 and 60 years, but ↑ incidence in children with obesity, lack of exercise, diet high in “junk” food |
| Weight at onset | Normal or sudden, unexplained loss of weight | Overweight or obese |
| Gender | Slightly more common in boys than girls | More common in women than men |
| Ethnicity | More common in Caucasians | More common in Hispanics and Native Americans |
| Ketoacidosis | Relatively common | Relatively rare |
| Ease of control/stability | Unstable, difficult to achieve steady blood sugar level | Stable, easier to achieve steady blood sugar level |
| Presenting symptoms |  Polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia (“three Ps”) | More commonly related to long-term complications (e.g., changes in vision or kidney function) |
| Complications | Occur more frequently and at relatively younger age because of younger age at onset of disease; rate 80% or greater | Occur less frequently, and often not seen until later adult years; rate is variable |