Monogenic diabetes: Could this be your patient?

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) accounts for approximately 2% of those diagnosed with diabetes below the age of 30 years. MODY is caused by a change in a single gene, however, it is often misdiagnosed.¹ Diagnosis of MODY has often been sporadic due to lack of awareness and understanding among health-care professionals.² The role of the genetic diabetes nurse is to improve awareness of monogenic diabetes³ and assist those involved in diabetes care to identify these patients, ensuring they are correctly treated and managed. In some cases this can mean stopping insulin therapy and going onto low doses of sulphonylureas.