Abbreviation: DM
A group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. The two most common forms are type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 is the result of an autoimmune response that triggers the destruction of insulin-producing β cells in the pancreas and results in an absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2, which is much more common, has a strong genetic component and a significant association with obesity and sedentary lifestyles.