Which statement correctly describes Type 1 diabetes?

• A. Usually occurs in middle-aged or older and overweight; managed with oral meds
• B. Is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, but still often treated with oral meds
• C. Is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to little or no insulin production; requires insulin
• D. Is primarily due to lifestyle factors

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is that Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production and a need for insulin therapy. When the immune system targets beta cells, the body loses its primary source of insulin, so people with this type must take insulin to control blood glucose. This contrasts with Type 2 diabetes, which is more about insulin resistance and a relative insulin deficiency often associated with older age and overweight; many patients can manage it with lifestyle changes and oral medications, and only sometimes require insulin. So describing Type 1 as primarily lifestyle-related or as usually occurring in middle-aged or older individuals who are overweight doesn’t fit, and noting that it’s autoimmune but still treated with oral meds misses the essential need for insulin due to near-complete lack of endogenous insulin.