Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which of the following conditions is NOT typically a result of type 1 diabetes?

1. Diabetic ketoacidosis

2. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state

3. Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

4. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells

The correct answer is: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin production. This condition is typically associated with several acute and chronic complications due to the lack of insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a common acute complication of type 1 diabetes, occurring when the body starts breaking down fats for energy, leading to the production of ketones. This results in metabolic acidosis and is a frequent presentation, especially in newly diagnosed individuals. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state is more commonly associated with type 2 diabetes but can also occur in individuals with type 1 diabetes under certain circumstances, such as prolonged illness or non-compliance with insulin therapy. However, it's not as typical an occurrence as diabetic ketoacidosis. The autoimmune destruction of beta cells is the fundamental mechanism of type 1 diabetes, as the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys these insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), on the other hand, is a genetic form of diabetes that typically occurs due to a mutation in a single gene affecting insulin production. It is not caused by autoimmune processes and does not fit into the typical profile of complications or presentations seen in type 1 diabetes. Thus, it is