Heterogeneity of Diabetes

This Report outlines research Recommendations from the NIDDK’s Working Group of Council on Heterogeneity of Diabetes, a result of tremendous effort and significant contributions from global investigators and NIDDK staff. This Report complements and builds on opportunities outlined in NIDDK’s 2021 Strategic Plan for Research. In particular, a scientific goal in the 2021 NIDDK Strategic Plan for Research is to “Advance understanding of biological pathways and environmental contributors to health and disease.” Thus, the Recommendations from the Working Group complement the NIDDK Strategic Plan for Research and provide research opportunities to advance the Institute’s mission and to further understanding of biological pathways and environmental contributors to health and disease particularly as it relates to diabetes.

In particular, this Report provides a detailed overview of the current state of knowledge on the heterogeneity of diabetes and has identified gaps and provided research Opportunities to address the gaps in our knowledge. This Report will inform NIDDK scientific staff of evolving concepts in this field from a global perspective and will be used to stimulate research efforts to develop more discrete definitions of subtypes of type 2 diabetes. Research Opportunities have been presented across all phases of research and across the human lifespan that, if successful, will continue to advance the field. The NIDDK is optimistic that, with continued research investment in diabetes heterogeneity, successful achievement of many of the Opportunities presented under each Recommendation will be actionable and will lead to meaningful reclassification of diabetes and advancements in precision diabetology.