Incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in children aged 0-14 in Japan, 1986-1990, including an analysis for seasonality of onset and month of birth: JDS study. The Data Committee for Childhood Diabetes of the Japan Diabetes Society (JDS).

AIMS: To detect the incidence of childhood Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (0-14 years) in Japan and to find out whether there is a seasonal pattern in the onset of disease and month of birth of children with diabetes. METHODS: Ascertained data for the period 1986-1990 could be collected in 35 out of 47 local government areas representing 69.4% of the childhood population (aged 0-14 years) of Japan. RESULTS: A total of 1,260 children with Type 1 DM were identified (738 girls, 522 boys). With age there was a progressive increase in incidence from 0.7 to 2.1/10(5) in boys and from 0.6 to 3.5/10(5) in girls. With the exception of 1987, when a coxsackie B3 virus epidemic was registered, no seasonal variation in the month of onset was observed, nor was a seasonal pattern of the month of birth registered in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to European countries, the USA and Israel, the Japanese cohort of children with diabetes presents the following differences: the incidence is much lower, there is a preponderance of girls and there is (with one exception) no seasonal pattern.     

The incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in subjects aged 0–19 years in Luxembourg: a retrospective study from 1977 to 1986

Summary A decrease in the incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the age group 0–14 years has been observed from north to south over north-western Europe. To evaluate whether this trend could be found in Luxembourg (a small country between the Netherlands and France) we performed a retrospective study over a period of 10 years. Information concerning all Type 1 diabetic patients (aged 0–19 years at diagnosis), diagnosed between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1986 was obtained through paediatricians, internists, general practitioners and the Luxembourg Diabetes Association (LDA). The LDA was used as the ascertainment group (to estimate the real number and incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus). During the study period 91 Type 1 diabetic patients aged between 0–19 years were diagnosed. An incidence of 11.2 was found in boys (0–19 years). Girls in the same age group showed a considerably lower incidence of 8.8. Standardised incidence (using as standard the world population) revealed an almost similar incidence in the Netherlands and Luxembourg (respectively 10.3 and 10.2) for the age group aged 0–14 years. In France a considerably lower incidence is found (3.6). To what extent different methodology contributes to the differences remains to be clarified. Further prospective studies are necessary to investigate the role of environmental and genetic factors.     

Record-high incidence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in Finnish children

Aims/hypothesis. In Finland, the incidence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in children aged 14 years or under is the highest in the world and the trend in incidence has been increasing. Our aim was to determine the most recent trends in incidence and the age distribution at diagnosis of Type I diabetes. Methods. Data on the incidence of Type I diabetes in Finland nationwide were obtained from two sources: for the period 1965 to 1986 from the Central Drug Registry of the Social Insurance Institution and for the period 1987 to1996 from the prospective childhood Type I diabetes registry. The annual incidence was calculated per 100 000 people. The increase and the trend in incidence were estimated by fitting the linear regression model with the annual incidence data. Results. During 1987 to 1993 the incidence of Type I diabetes seemed to be rather stable at 36 per 100 000 per year. The incidence has continued to increase thereafter and reached 45 per 100 000 per year in 1996. The analysis of the long-term trend in incidence between 1965 and 1996 showed an absolute incidence increase of 0.67 per year on average being 3.4 % compared with the incidence in 1965. The increase from 1987 to 1996 was highest in very young children 1–4 years old at diagnosis. Conclusion/interpretation. The high incidence of Type I diabetes in Finnish children has thus far not levelled off but is increasing further. If the trend continues, the predicted incidence in Finland will be approximately 50 per 100 000 per year in the year 2010. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 655–660] Received: 15 June 1998 and in final revised from: 14 December 1998     

A 10‐year (1996–2005) prospective study of the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in Moscow in the age group 0–14 years

Aims To provide data on the incidence of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Moscow, determined prospectively from 1996 to 2005 for a total of > 10 million subjects aged < 15 years. Methods Data on T1D incidence in patients with newly discovered T1D resident in Moscow diagnosed between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2005 were analysed. Primary ascertainment was based in endocrinology departments of children's hospitals in Moscow. A secondary source were the archives of Moscow Region where patients are registered to obtain exemption from paying for medication. Results We identified 2031 new cases of T1D patients with a degree of ascertainment through primary and secondary sources of 94%. Overall the incidence rate of the disease was 12.9 per 100 000 per year (95% confidence interval 12.3– 13.4). The cumulative risk of the disease was 0.28 per 1000 in the age group 0–4 years, 0.84 in the age group 5–9 years and 1.8 in the age group 10–14 years. The incidence rate in girls increased by a mean of 6% per year in all age groups (P < 0.05 for all comparisons), whereas in boys it increased by a mean of 7% in the age group 10–14 years. Thirty percent of cases presented with diabetic ketoacidosis and coma at diagnosis, whereas hyperglycaemia without ketonuria was present in 20% of patients. Conclusions This is the first study to report on validated incidence data for T1D in Moscow. We conclude that the incidence of T1D in Moscow is comparable to that of those European countries having intermediate incidence rates, and that the incidence is increasing.     

Incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in subjects 0–14 years of age in the Comunidad of Madrid,Spain

Summary A retrospective, population-based registry was established in the Comunidad of Madrid, Spain (total population: 4,780,572; under age 15: 1,105,243) to investigate the epidemiology of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Included were all cases diagnosed with diabetes between 1985 and 1988, with age onset less than 15 years, and using insulin at discharge from hospital. Using the capture-recapture method employing hospital records as the primary source and membership files of the Spanish Diabetic Association as the secondary source, the ascertainment was 90%. The overall annual incidence was estimated to be 11.3/100,000 (Poisson 95% confidence interval: 10.3–12.4). There was no temporal increase in incidence, nor was there a significant sex difference in incidence rates, either overall or by year. The seasonal onset pattern showed the highest incidence in winter (December–February) and lowest in summer (June–August) (r=7.36, p<0.05). The age-adjusted (world standard) incidence of 10.9/100,000 was inconsistent with the hypothesis of a north-south gradient in diabetes risk.     

Coeliac disease and Type 1 diabetes mellitus - the case for screening.

AIM: To review the relationship between coeliac disease and Type 1 diabetes mellitus with emphasis on prevalence of coeliac disease, presentation and implications for screening. METHODS: Papers collected over many years by the author have been included in the review and a literature search employing Medline was undertaken to August 2000. Search words used were coeliac disease and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Twenty papers exploring the prevalence of coeliac disease by serological screening of Type 1 diabetes in children, eight in adults and two including both groups were found. An additional 48 papers are included and relate to serological screening tests for coeliac disease, expressions and complications of coeliac disease, the value of GFD and the genetics of the two conditions. Unless formal screening studies are undertaken coeliac disease will not be diagnosed because patients are asymptomatic, have atypical symptoms or even in those with symptoms the diagnosis is overlooked. Based on small bowel biopsy, diagnosis the prevalence of coeliac disease in Type 1 diabetes in children is 1:6 to 1:103 and in adults 1:16 to 1:76. Patients may improve following the start of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in terms of symptoms, growth in children, serum antibody levels, haematological and biochemical indices, morphology of the small intestinal mucosa and control of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Coeliac disease commonly occurs in Type 1 diabetes. It is recommended that screening for coeliac disease should be part of the routine investigation and offered to all patients because of the high prevalence and the potential benefits of treatment with a GFD. This includes control of symptoms, stabilization of diabetes and prevention of complications associated with coeliac disease. The cost per patient diagnosed with coeliac disease from the existing population with Type 1 diabetes would be pound860 and for those newly arising pound950.     

The incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus 15–29 years in Norway 1978–1982

Summary All new cases of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the 15–29 year age group during the five-year period 1978–1982 were registered using a retrospective technique on a nation-wide basis. A total of 784 newly diagnosed cases were detected, from an average population of 926,192. The degree of ascertainment was almost 90%. The mean yearly incidence for the five-year period was 17.0 per 100,000. The observed incidence is doubled compared to the incidence found in the city of Oslo during the years 1956–1964 (8.8 per 100,000). The male incidence exceeded the female incidence by 12% (p< 0.05). There was a marked geographic variation in incidence, with a higher incidence in the three southern health regions compared to the two northern, 18.3 vs 13.9 per 100,000 (p< 0.01). There was a significant seasonal trend in the incidence data (p< 0.025) with the highest number of new cases detected in the months of January and September and the lowest number in July. In conclusion, the study suggests a two-fold increase of incidence of diabetes mellitus in the age group 15–29 years during the last 2–3 decades and a geographic variation in incidence within the country, pointing to the operation of environmental pathogenic factors.     

Incidence of childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Devon and Cornwall, England, 1975-1996.

AIMS: To determine the incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in children aged 0-15 years in the far south-west of England between 1975 and 1996. METHODS: Patient information was collected to set up the Cornwall and Plymouth Children's Diabetes Register (CPCDR) through two main data sources; hospitals and the general practitioners in all surgeries in the study region. All children under 16 years living within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the former Plymouth Health Authorities and diagnosed as having Type 1 DM during the study period were included. The case ascertainment was estimated by a capture-recapture method. Trends and differences in incidence of sex, age, time period and district of diagnosis were analysed by Poisson regression analysis. Roger's method was used to estimate the seasonal variations. RESULTS: A total of 522 subjects aged between 0 and 15 years were identified from 01/01/1975 to 31/12/1996, giving an overall crude incidence of 14.9/ 100 000 population/year. The case ascertainment was 94.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91.4- 97.6%) for the whole register. Poisson regression analysis showed that a significant increase of incidence (2.49% per year) was observed throughout the 22-year study period, which was mainly a result of the significant increase in the 0-4 year age-group (6.29% per year). The incidence significantly differed among the 22-years (P = 0.007), the three age groups (0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 years, P<0.001) and different sexes (P=0.049). The significant seasonal variations were detected with peak incidence appearing in autumn and winter. CONCLUSIONS: The first validated childhood-onset diabetes register has been set up in the far south-west of England. The incidence of childhood Type 1 DM in this region has increased significantly over the past two decades, especially in children under 5 years.     

Temporal, seasonal, and geographical incidence patterns of Type I diabetes mellitus in children under 5 years of age in Germany

Abstract Aims/hypothesis. To estimate the national incidence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in children under 5 years of age in Germany and to analyse temporal, seasonal, and geographical patterns of the diabetes incidence. Methods. During 1993–1995 newly diagnosed subjects were prospectively registered by the hospital-based ’German Paediatric Surveillance Unit' with monthly inquiries in all paediatric departments in Germany. Level of ascertainment was estimated by capture-recapture-analysis using two independent regional data sources. Results. During 1993–1995 the national incidence was 8.10 (95 %-CI: 7.61, 8.61) per 100 000 person-years, ranging in-between lower rates in west European countries and higher rates in northern Europe. Degree of ascertainment was about 85 %. Male to female ratio was 1.11 (95 %-CI: 0.98, 1.25). Compared with results of previous regional studies in the east and the south-west of Germany a 3- and 1.3-fold incidence increase was observed, respectively. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed season, geographical region, and interactions of age at onset with sex and calendar year to be independent significant predictors of the incidence. Incidence variation by age was different between boys and girls. A significant incidence increase by calendar year was found in 3- and 4-year-old children only. In summer and fall the incidence was higher than in winter and springtime, in the northern parts of the country higher than in the southern parts. Conclusion/interpretation. This study reports first national incidence data of Type I diabetes in children under the age of 5 years in Germany. Observed marked temporal, seasonal, and geographical incidence variations strongly support the causal role of environmental factors in disease aetiology. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 1055–1059] Received: 4 March 1999 and in revised form: 6 May 1999     

Epidemiology of childhood diabetes mellitus in Finland--background of a nationwide study of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The Childhood Diabetes in Finland (DiMe) Study Group.

Summary A nationwide study of childhood Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus was established in 1986 in Finland, the country with the highest incidence of this disease worldwide. The aim of the project called Childhood Diabetes in Finland is to evaluate the role of genetic, environmental and immunological factors and particularly the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the development of Type 1 diabetes. From September 1986 to April 1989, 801 families with a newly-diagnosed child aged 14 years or younger at the time of diagnosis were invited to participate in this study. The vast majority of the families agreed to participate in the comprehensive investigations of the study. HLA genotypes and haplotypes were determined in 757 families (95%). Our study also incorporates a prospective family study among non-diabetic siblings aged 3–19 years, and two case-control studies among the youngonset cases of Type 1 diabetes. During 1987–1989, the overall incidence of Type 1 diabetes was about 35.2 per 100,000 per year. It was higher in boys (38.4) than in girls (32.2). There was no clear geographic variation in incidence among the 12 provinces of Finland. Of the 1,014 cases during these 3 years only six cases were diagnosed before their first birthday. The incidence was high already in the age group 1–4-years old: 33.2 in boys and 29.5 in girls. Of the 801 families 90 (11.2%) were multiple case families, of which 66 had a parent with Type 1 diabetes at the time of diagnosis of the proband. The prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in the parents of these newly-diagnosed diabetic children was higher in fathers (5.7%) than in mothers (2.6%).     

Increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in Norwegian children 0–14 years of age 1973–1982

Summary A retrospective technique was used to register all newly diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus in Norwegian children 0–14 years of age during the ten-year period 1973–1982. A total of 1,914 newly diagnosed cases were detected, from an average population of 932,037 children. The degree of ascertainment was near to 99%. The male incidence exceeded the female incidence by 12% (p<0.02). The mean yearly incidence for the ten-year period was 20.5 per 100,000. Comparing the two five-year periods 1973–1977 and 1978–1982, the mean yearly incidence increased from 18.5 to 22.7 per 100,000 (p<0.0001). There was a marked geographic variation with the highest incidence in the south-east and lower incidence in the northern part of the country. However, in the northern part of the country, there was a remarkable increase of the annual incidence from the first to the second five-year period (12.9 vs 19.3 per 100,000). The highest numbers of new cases were detected in the months of January and October, and the lowest numbers in May and July. The seasonal pattern was significantly different from a uniform distribution of new cases throughout the year (p<0.001). The age-specific incidence increased towards a peak at 12 years for both sexes. In conclusion, Norway has a high and apparently increasing incidence of childhood diabetes. The geographic variation and secular trend present challenging clues for a search of etio-pathogenic factors.     

Rising incidence of type 1 diabetes in Hungarian children (1978-1987). Hungarian Childhood Diabetes Epidemiology Group

A retrospective epidemiological study using primary data sources and external validation was conducted to assess the incidence of childhood (0 to 14 years) Type 1 diabetes in Hungary (excluding the Budapest region) over a 10-year period. Hospital records and regional diabetes centres' registries served as primary data sources, and data were validated by using the records of summer camps for diabetic children. The degree of ascertainment was 96.2%. Age-specific incidence rates increased until puberty with peak incidence in girls at 10 yr, and in boys at 13 yr. There was a significant seasonal variation of onset with peaks in autumn and winter. The incidence was slightly lower amongst boys than amongst girls. A statistically significant increase in incidence was evident in the last decade, from 3.8 per 100,000 in 1978 to 8.2 per 100,000 in 1987.     

Continuous rise in incidence of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Germany

Aims To assess the incidence and the trend in incidence of Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in children and adolescents < 15 years of age in Baden‐Württemberg (BW), Germany. Methods BW is Germany's third largest federal state. All 31 paediatric departments in BW and one diabetes centre participated in the study. Case registration was done according to the EURODIAB criteria. The degree of ascertainment was 97.2%. Results From 1987 to 2003, the age‐ and sex‐standardized incidence rate was 14.1/100 000 per year [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7, 14.6, n = 4017]. The estimated annual increase in incidence was 3.8% (95% CI 1.1, 6.6). Compared with the first years of our registry, the current mean number of new cases of T1DM has doubled (1987–1989, n = 153; 2000–2003, n = 302). Generally, the highest rise in incidence occurred in the youngest age group of 0–4‐year‐old patients (5.8%; 95% CI 2.5, 9.3), followed by the age groups 5–9 (3.4%; 95% CI 0.8, 6.0) and 10–14 (2.7%; 95% CI 0.3, 5.1). Conclusions In Germany, the number of children and adolescents with new‐onset T1DM has been rising at a faster pace than expected. A distinct shift to younger age at onset has been observed in Germany.     

Cancrum oris in a Caucasian male with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We describe a patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed cancrum oris requiring extensive oro-facial reconstructive surgery. There are no previous published reports of cancrum oris occurring in a Caucasian subject with no risk factors other than Type 2 diabetes.     

Metabolic control and prevalence of microvascular complications in young Danish patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Danish Study Group of Diabetes in Childhood.

AIMS: After Danish nationwide investigations (1987, 1989) demonstrated unacceptable blood glucose control in unselected young diabetic patients, we set out to estimate the present glycaemic control and the prevalence of microvascular complications in a cohort of children and adolescents participating in the two previous studies. METHODS: This follow-up represents 339 patients (47% of the inception cohort), median age 21.1 years (range 12.0-26.9), median diabetes duration 13.2 years (range 8.9-24.5). A standardized questionnaire, fundus photographs (with central reading) and a physical examination were performed. HbA1c and overnight albumin excretion rate (AER) were analysed centrally. RESULTS: Although 88% (n= 309) of the young persons were treated with three or more daily insulin injections, HbA1c (nondiabetic range 4.3-5.8, mean 5.3%) was 9.7+/-1.7% (mean+/-SD). Males had higher HbA1c values than females (P < 0.015). Mean daily insulin dose was 0.92+/-0.25 IU.kg(-1).24h(-1). Microalbuminuria (AER > 20-150 microg/min) and macroalbuminuria (AER > 150 microg/min) were found in 9.0% and 3.7% of the patients, respectively, and was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01) and presence of retinopathy (P<0.01). Retinopathy was present in approximately 60% of the patients and was associated with age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure and AER (all P<0.01). Subclinical neuropathy (vibration perception threshold by biothesiometry > 6.5 V) was found in 62% and showed a significant association with age, linear height, diastolic blood pressure (all P < 0.01) and diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the majority of the patients being on multiple insulin injections, only 11% had HbA1c values below 8% and the prevalence of diabetic microvascular complications in kidneys, eyes and nerves was unacceptable high.     

Mortality in Israeli Jewish patients with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus diagnosed prior to 18 years of age: a population based study

Summary A total of 614 Jewish patients under the age of 18 with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, diagnosed in Israel during the period 1 January 1965 to 31 December 1979, were identified by exhaustive screening of all possible sources. Mortality experience of this cohort was updated to 31 March 1988 through the Central Population Registry and 14 deaths were identified. The ascertainment rate for diagnosed cases as well as for deaths is estimated at about 95%. There was a significantly higher (p<0.001) by 3.2-fold excess mortality relative to the age and sex-adjusted mortality as expected the general Jewish population in Israel. This excess was due to three cause-of-death categories: diabetic ketoacidosis (n = 3; p<0.001), cardiovascular diseases (n – 3; p<0.001) and infections (n = 2; p = 0.03). The rate of malignancies (n = 2), external causes (n = 3) and other general causes (n = 1) did not differ significantly from that expected. During the first 15 years of the disease cumulative mortality resembled that of the general population, with a subsequent steep increase so that by 20 years disease duration, the rate was four-fold higher than expected. This mortality pattern was similar irrespective of age at onset, sex and ethnic group (Ashkenazi vs non-Ashkenazi Jews). A factor contributing to the lack of increase in mortality rate in the first 15 years of Type 1 diabetes may be the comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment approach employed for most juvenile diabetic patients in Israel leading to early referral and an overall better metabolic control.The study was supported by a grant from the NIH — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, No. 5 RO1 DK3905-04.     

The epidemiology of Type 1 diabetes mellitus is not the same in young adults as in children

Aims/hypothesis This prospective study examined the epidemiology of Type 1 diabetes in young adults in Europe.Methods We ascertained incident cases of Type 1 diabetes in the 15 to 29 years (both inclusive) age group throughout Europe over a period of 2 years. Diabetes registries in nine countries, in which incidence rates for Type 1 diabetes in the 0 to 14 age group were available, took part. Incidence rates were estimated per 100000 person years and standardised for sex and age. Cumulative incidences per 1000 from birth to age 30 were estimated. Heterogeneity between centres was tested with a Poisson regression model.Results A total of 2112 diabetes cases were ascertained in 1996 and 1997, of which 61.4% were considered to be Type 1 diabetes. Completeness of ascertainment varied from 70 to 90%. Standardised incidence varied from 4.8 per 100000 person years to 13.4 per 100000 person years. The male–female ratio was estimated to be one or more, and in the 25 to 29 age group 1.5 or more in all countries. Cumulative incidences for males and females indicate that the former exceeds the latter from age 24. In the two centres with highest childhood incidence, this applied already from 14 years of age.Conclusions/interpretation The incidence of Type 1 diabetes in adults is lower than in children and the range of incidence is also reduced, with a less than threefold variation in adults, against an eightfold variation in children. There is a male excess in incidence, especially in the age group 25 to 29 years.Abbreviations EURODIAB TIGER European Diabetes: Type I Genetic Epidemiology Resource