Which type of diabetes is commonly associated with insulin resistance?

Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with insulin resistance, which is a condition where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin. This leads to higher blood glucose levels because insulin, which is responsible for facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, is not able to perform its function adequately. As a result, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, but over time, this can lead to a decrease in insulin production as the pancreatic beta cells become exhausted.

In contrast, Type 1 diabetes is primarily characterized by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an absolute insulin deficiency rather than resistance. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is typically a result of hormonal changes leading to insulin resistance, but it is usually a transient condition that resolves after delivery. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) has elements of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but it is also more associated with autoimmune destruction than insulin resistance.

Thus, Type 2 diabetes is the condition most commonly linked with systemic insulin resistance, which is a key factor in its pathophysiology.