What type of diabetes is characterized as an autoimmune disease and is insulin dependent?

Type I diabetes is characterized as an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction leads to little or no insulin production, which means individuals with Type I diabetes must rely on external insulin for their survival. This form of diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, hence the name “juvenile diabetes,” but it can occur at any age.

The autoimmune nature of Type I diabetes is a significant aspect because it differentiates it from other types of diabetes. In contrast, Type II diabetes usually involves insulin resistance rather than destruction of insulin-producing cells, and gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, resolving after childbirth. The term "Type A" is not commonly used in recent classifications of diabetes. Therefore, the classification of Type I as autoimmune and insulin-dependent aligns with its fundamental characteristics and helps in understanding the necessary management and treatment approaches for individuals diagnosed with this condition.