The neglected epidemic of type 5 diabetes mellitus

There are several types of diabetes, but type 1 and type 2 often dominate the discussion. They overshadow lesser-known types like type 5 diabetes (T5DM). T5DM was first identified in 1955 in Jamaica. However, it remained understudied due to limited evidence. Recently, in April 2025, the International Diabetes Federation brought attention to this condition during the World Diabetes Congress. It is estimated to affect 20 to 25 million people, predominantly of Asian and African descent. It disproportionately affects malnourished teens in low- and middle-income countries and is therefore, also known as malnutrition-related diabetes. Despite existing for over 70 years, it remains often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. This may lead to inadequate management of increased risk of complications. This highlights the need for reliable diagnostic criteria and extensive research. Furthermore, we believe addressing type 5 diabetes requires a multifaceted, global approach.