[Diabetes mellitus: current classification based on cause and sharpened blood glucose limits for diagnosis].

Recently new definitions were agreed for the glucose tolerance test (GTT), for impaired glucose tolerance and for the classification of diabetes mellitus. The World Health Organization and the American Diabetes Association have been active on this point. The fasting glucose value has been lowered and been brought into line with the two hour value of the GTT. Fasting glucose values can now be used for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and of impaired glucose tolerance. The new classification is based on differences in cause of the diabetes. The classification includes diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, pregnancy diabetes and 'other forms of diabetes'.