Secondary diabetes mellitus

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Secondary diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin. Secondary diabetes is a form of the disease that develops as a result of, or secondary to, another disease or condition.

Secondary diabetes can be caused by a wide range of health problems that damage, injure, interfere with, or destroy the pancreas. For example, secondary diabetes may develop from inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), cystic fibrosis, or conditions related to the overproduction of growth hormone or cortisol. Some medications may also affect how the body uses insulin or prevent the pancreas from producing enough insulin.

If the underlying cause of secondary diabetes can be successfully treated, insulin production may improve or return to normal.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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