Diagnosis

A correct diagnosis of diabetes secondary to pancreatic disorders is important because management differs from that for other types of diabetes.

At the time of writing, there are no validated diagnostic thresholds for diabetes secondary to pancreatic disorders. It should be strongly considered in any patient with a history of pancreatitis, or known features of chronic pancreatitis (eg atrophy or calcification on imaging). Features of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, such as steatorrhoea, may or may not be present; however, even without typical symptoms of fat malabsorption (eg steatorrhoea) fat-soluble–vitamin deficiency can be present.