What is 'Type-5 Diabetes'?

Type-5 diabetes is a newly recognized form of diabetes that predominantly affects undernourished and low-BMI individuals, according to eminent researcher Dr. Chittaranjan Yajnik.

Where was the international consensus meeting on Type-5 Diabetes held?

The international consensus meeting where experts proposed the term 'Type-5 diabetes' was held in Vellore, India, in January 2025.

How did the International Diabetes Federation respond to Type-5 Diabetes?

The International Diabetes Federation recognized Type-5 diabetes as a subtype of diabetes during their recent meeting in Bangkok in April 2025, and promoted establishing a working group to further investigate this variety.

Home / Health / Researchers Identify Unique 'Type-5' Diabetes Affecting Undernourished Populations

Researchers Identify Unique 'Type-5' Diabetes Affecting Undernourished Populations

10 Nov

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Summary

Eminent diabetes researcher Dr. Chittaranjan Yajnik describes a new form of diabetes, Type-5
Type-5 diabetes predominantly affects undernourished and low-BMI individuals
International consensus meeting in 2025 proposed the term 'Type-5 diabetes'

Researchers Identify Unique 'Type-5' Diabetes Affecting Undernourished Populations

In November 2025, eminent diabetes researcher Dr. Chittaranjan Yajnik from KEM Hospital, Pune, has described a newly recognized form of diabetes, called Type-5 diabetes. This unusual form of diabetes is predominantly affecting undernourished populations, particularly those from socio-economically deprived communities and rural areas.

According to Dr. Yajnik, Type-5 diabetes poses novel challenges compared to the more common Type-2 diabetes. Unlike Type-2, which is associated with obesity and high BMI, Type-5 diabetes is seen in individuals with low BMI and insulin deficiency. An international consensus meeting held in Vellore, India, in January 2025 proposed the term 'Type-5 diabetes' to distinguish it from Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, as well as other rare genetic and secondary forms.