Chennai, 10 th November, 2018 : As part of the World Diabetes Day 2018, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes
Specialities Centre (DMDSC) conducted, a first of its kind press conference in Chennai to create
awareness on the various forms of Monogenic Diabetes. Young patients with diabetes who are
successfully undergoing treatment were also present at the conference to share their experience and
educate the gathering on the importance of accurately diagnosing these relatively rare forms of
diabetes known as ‘Monogenic Diabetes’. DMDSC and its sister institution Madras Diabetes Research
Foundation (MDRF) also announced the formation of the National Monogenic Diabetes Study Group
of India.
The two most common forms of diabetes are type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes. Both of these are
polygenic disorders which means that several genes are involved and in addition, environmental
factors also play a very important role in their etiology.
In contrast, Monogenic Diabetes is a group of disorders where mutation of a single gene causes these
forms of diabetes. The 3 commonest forms of monogenic diabetes are 1) Maturity Onset Diabetes of
the Young (MODY), 2) Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) and 3) Congenital Hypoglycemia (CH).
MODY comprises at least 14 subtypes, of which MODY 1 and MODY 3 are the commonest forms.
Patients with these forms of MODY are usually mistaken to have type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent
diabetes) and prescribed lifelong insulin injections. However, if one studies the clinical profile of these
patients, and more importantly, does a genetic test, it can be proved that they have MODY and not
type 1 diabetes. The good news is that patients with MODY can stop insulin injections and be switched
over to inexpensive sulphonylurea tablets. This can be life changing as far as the individual and the
family are concerned.
Even more dramatic is the case of Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) which is defined as onset of
diabetes below. 6 months of age. These neonates are also usually diagnosed to have type 1 diabetes
and asked to take insulin injections several times a day. If genetic testing is done in these individuals
and certain specific mutations are detected, the insulin injections can be stopped and they can be
switched over to oral sulphonylurea treatment. This is nothing short of a miracle. Hundreds of such
children have been referred to Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Spcialities Centre and the Madras Diabetes
Research Foundation from all over India for genetic testing and many have been successfully converted
to sulphonylurea tablets and were able to stop insulin injections completely.
Children with Congenital Hypoglycemia (CH) have the opposite condition of neonatal diabetes. From
the time of birth, these babies have severe low sugar reactions. They may present with epileptic fits
and other symptoms of low sugar. Many of them can be treated with a medicine called as ‘Diazoxide’,
while some have to undergo a partial removal of the pancreas (Pancratectomy). Again, in these
neonates with CH, definite genetic mutations are present.
At Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Spcialities Centre and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, over the
past several years, many cases of MODY, neonatal diabetes and congenital hypoglycemia have been
successfully treated. Some of these patients were available at the Press Conference to tell their story.
Dr.V.Mohan, Chairman Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities says, “More research is needed on
monogenic forms of diabetes. We have seen a steady increase in children suffering from this form of
diabetes over the last few years due to better awareness and detection. We are happy that the Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made MDRF, the Coordinating Centre for the ‘National
Monogenic Diabetes Study Group of India’. This is the need of the hour and will surely help advance
research in new avenues of treatment for the different kinds of monogenic diabetes like MODY and
neonatal diabetes”.
Dr. Ranjit Unnikrishnan, Vice Chairman, DMDSC said,”With the advancement in technology, today, by
doing a genetic evaluation, it is possible to accurately diagnose all the monogenic forms of diabetes.
This has great clinical significance because patients with monogenic forms of diabetes can be mistaken
for type 1 diabetes and may be asked to take lifelong insulin injections. When diagnosed correctly,
these young children can be provided with effective treatments that will enable them to enjoy a
fulfilling and normal life. “
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has nominated the Madras Diabetes Research
Foundation and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre as the ‘National Coordinating Centre for the
‘National Monogenic Diabetes Study Group of India’. Several top institutions, diabetologists and
endocrinologists, including many prestigious medical colleges all over India, have consented to be
members of this study group.
About Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre: Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre is a diabetes
speciality chain founded in the year 1991 headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is India’s leading
diabetes care provider offering comprehensive services for diabetes patients. Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes
Specialties Centres now has 45 diabetes centres and clinics in India and over 4.5 lakh diabetic patients
have been registered at these centres. The centre specializes in Total Diabetes Care, Diabetes Eye Care,
Diabetes Foot Care services, Diabetes Cardiac Care, Diabetes Dental Care, Preventive Care, Diet
counselling and an advanced laboratory. Appointments can be booked online at www.drmohans.com
