Genetics of Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type II diabetes is a serious and fast-growing disease affecting about 5–10% of the adults in the Western world (1). NIDDM is preceded by impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which affects about 25% of the population over 50 yr of age—a disease with nearly as high morbidity and mortality rate as NIDDM—despite “normal” fasting plasma glucose values (2). Both IGT and NIDDM result in 200–300% increased mortality rates, mainly from myocardial infarction (1). Therefore, the NIDDM syndrome—from the early stages to the fulminant hyperglycemic state—is a challenge for all clinicians.