Monogenic Diabetes (Mature Onset Diabetes of Youth or MODY)
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a type of diabetes that is caused by genetic mutations. MODY may occur during childhood or adolescence, but may be misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes or may be unidentified until the patient is an adult.
Research indicates the genetic mutations responsible for MODY interfere with normal pancreatic secretion of insulin. Currently, six gene mutations have been identified as causes for MODY, each of which produces several different forms of MODY, named MODY 1 through MODY 6. Each type of MODY has different signs and symptoms, complications and treatments.
It has been estimated that 1 to 5 percent of diabetes cases in the U.S. are MODY. The disorder typically presents in the 20s, usually before the age of 25.
Patients at risk for MODY:
- Have a strong family history of diabetes and/or have developed diabetes before middle age
- Typically are not overweight
As each type of maturity-onset diabetes of the young has different clinical manifestations, it is recommended that you work with your health care provider to discuss testing options, to determine whether genetic testing is appropriate and to decide which genetic tests are necessary. If you have maturity-onset diabetes of the young, treatment is tailored to the type of MODY you have. In general, MODY patients are treated with some or all of the following:
- Meal planning
- Oral diabetes medications
- Low doses of insulin