A new type of diabetes officially recognized: global protocol development begins

At the IDF 2025 World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Federation President Peter Schwarz announced the creation of an international task force to develop diagnostic and treatment criteria for a new type of diabetes — Type 5 diabetes. This information was published on the official website of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

This disease, linked to chronic malnutrition, was officially classified as a separate form of diabetes earlier this year at an expert meeting in India.

The task force is led by Dr. Meredith Hawkins (USA) and Professor Nihal Thomas (India).

They will focus on creating a global patient registry, educational modules for doctors, and treatment guidelines.

Type 5 diabetes is characteristic of young and thin patients from low- and middle-income countries, especially in Asia and Africa, and is marked by a critical insulin deficiency without signs of insulin resistance.

Although the disease has been known since the mid-20th century, it was often mistaken for other forms of diabetes. The new classification and international recognition pave the way for more accessible and tailored treatment.

Earlier, it was reported that Eli Lilly successfully completed trials of the world’s first oral GLP-1-based therapy, which effectively lowers blood sugar and helps reduce weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.

It was also reported that WHO conducted international exercises simulating a viral outbreak with participation from 15 countries and over 350 experts to test the effectiveness of the Global Emergency Response Corps.