Atypical diabetes: a diagnostic challenge

In medical school, we learned how to classify diabetes according to different clinical characteristics. However, at the dawn of the precision medicine era, it is clear that today’s clinical reality does not always align well with textbook teachings. The terms juvenile versus elderly-onset diabetes, as well as insulin-dependent versus non-insulin-dependent diabetes, have become obsolete. Contrary to what is often taught severe ketoacidosis may occur in type 2 diabetes. Patients may also suffer from two or more forms of diabetes simultaneously or consecutively. Five authentic cases of diabetes with uncommon characteristics that pose diagnostic challenges are presented here.