[The epidemiology of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents in north-east Poland in the period 1988-1999].

AIM

The studies performed in many European countries show the increasing tendency of the incidence of type 1 diabetes in different regions of our continent. The aim of study was the evaluation of incidence of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents in north-east Poland in the period 1988-1999 and its analysis according to sex, age, place of residence and season of diabetes diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Diabetic outpatient clinic and II Department of Pediatrics at Medical Academy in Białystok take medical care of children and adolescents in north-east macroregion of Poland (administrative border from 1975) with 4% population of Poland. Retrospective study was performed in the period 1.01.1988-31.12.1999. All new cases of diabetes in 0-18 years old children and adolescents were registered. Incidence index of IDDM was expressed by ratio of new diabetes cases to 100 000 age-selected population. The number of population was taken from Demographic Yearbooks 1988-1999 of Central Statistical Office.

RESULTS

During twelve-year observation of developmental age population living in north-east Poland diagnosis of diabetes type 1 was established in 421 persons: 221 boys (52.5%) and 200 girls (47.5%). Incidence index for the whole region was 7.33 (4.6-10.1). The analysis of the patient age at the diagnosis revealed rarer occurrence of diabetes in children under 5 years - 53 persons (12.5%). The type 1 diabetes was more often recognized in pubertal period - 188 persons (44.65%). The highest increase in incidence of diabetes was noted in 5-14 years old persons and it reached 17/100,000 in 1999. The analysis of the place of residence showed the increase of diabetes incidence of only in country regions. It was the same in towns. The diabetes manifested itself more often in autumn and winter than in summer period.

CONCLUSION

1. The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in north-east Poland rised significantly from 4.6 in 1988 to 10.1 in 1999. The identification of the etiological factors and prevention of disease may be necessary. 2) The seasonal incidence of type 1 diabetes confirms the real participation of environmental factors in etiopathogenesis of the disease.