Individuals with diabetes, a minor injury to the foot can cause major complications due to:

Choice A reason: Type 1 diabetes cannot be treated with oral glycemic agents. These medications are typically used to manage type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance rather than a lack of insulin production. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin due to an autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Therefore, individuals with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy to manage their blood glucose levels effectively.

Choice B reason: Type 1 diabetes has a definite genetic component, though it is not solely determined by genetics. A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as viral infections or other autoimmune triggers, can lead to the development of type 1 diabetes. Certain genes, including those in the HLA region, are known to increase susceptibility to the disease.

Choice C reason: In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is indeed completely unable to produce insulin. This is due to an autoimmune attack on the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for insulin production. Without insulin, the body cannot regulate blood glucose levels, leading to hyperglycemia and the need for exogenous insulin administration.

Choice D reason: Type 1 diabetes often has an acute onset, particularly in children and young adults. Symptoms can develop rapidly over a few days to weeks, including increased thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, and severe fatigue. This acute presentation is a hallmark of the disease and contrasts with the more gradual onset seen in type 2 diabetes.

Choice A reason: While high blood glucose levels are a key feature of diabetes and contribute to complications, it is the role of diabetes in promoting atherosclerosis that is more directly responsible for the high rate of macrovascular complications. High glucose levels can damage blood vessels and lead to the development of atherosclerosis, but the process is more complex and involves additional factors.

Choice B reason: Diabetes significantly contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaques in the arteries. This can lead to macrovascular complications such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Chronic hyperglycemia, along with associated lipid abnormalities and inflammation, accelerates the atherosclerotic process in individuals with diabetes.

Choice C reason: The role of platelets in the blood is not a primary factor in the macrovascular complications of diabetes. While platelet function can be altered in diabetes and contribute to clot formation, the central issue in macrovascular complications is the development of atherosclerosis.

Choice D reason: Increased white blood cell (WBC) count can be a sign of inflammation or infection, but it is not a primary cause of macrovascular complications in diabetes. The focus is more on the chronic inflammatory state and the development of atherosclerosis as major contributors to macrovascular disease in diabetes.