Did job in the bible have flatbush diabetes mellitus?

Abstract

The Book of Job, a poetic book in the Old Testament narrates the story of Job, the “richest man in the East.” Job was afflicted by a severe illness, which tested his coping abilities and his resolve. Job's illness, and the way he coped with it has many lessons for health-care providers. In this brief communication, we hypothesize that Job suffered from diabetes, with various acute and vascular complications. We further suggest that he had type 1.5 diabetes or flat bush diabetes which is a subtype of type 2 diabetes with an explosive presentation like type 1 diabetes initially followed by sustained course like regular type 2 diabetes mellitus. This explanation accounts for the severity of his symptoms, as well as his eventual recovery. Job's words retain their relevance for modern readers: We take this opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of patient-centered care.

Keywords

• Bible
• biblical endocrinology
• diabetes
• flatbush diabetes
• latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult
• medical history
• painful sensory neuropathy
• religion
• type 1.5 diabetes