Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a rare form of diabetes that is often misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. There is a strong genetic factor in developing MODY, and six genes have thus far been linked to the cause of this disorder.

MODY runs in families, and 50 percent of children whose parents have MODY will develop the disorder themselves. With the exception of heredity, there are no other factors known to increase the risk of developing MODY.

Latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) is an adult form of type 1 diabetes. This condition is frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 because of its late onset. The risk factors are similar to those of type 1.

Many conditions have been linked to secondary diabetes, including:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Pancreatic cancer
  
  
• Hemochromatosis
  
  
• Hepatitis C
  
  
• Growth hormone disorders such as acromegaly
  
  
• Cystic fibrosis
  
  
• Inherited neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s chorea
  
  
• Insulin resistance syndromes such as ataxia-telangiectasia and leprechaunism
  
  
• Chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome

People with some other conditions, including asthma, colorectal cancer, gout and epilepsy, have been found to have an increased incidence of diabetes.

Total pancreatectomy results in diabetes, and partial removal of the pancreas may. Medications that may cause hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and diabetes include corticosteroids, other immunosuppressives, estrogens, injected contraceptives, anabolic steroids, antiretroviral (HIV) drugs, beta blockers (a class of antihypertensives), diuretics, certain anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics and chemotherapy drugs.