Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Gabon: A study of epidemiological aspects

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of type 1 diabetes in children and youth in Burkina Faso 2013-2022

AIM

There are no data on type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence and prevalence in Burkina Faso. We aimed to determine these in persons aged <25 years (y) since the implementation of Life for a Child (LFAC) program in 2013.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected from the prospective program register. Diagnosis of T1D was clinical, based on presentation, abrupt onset of symptomatic hyperglycemia, need for insulin replacement therapy from diagnosis, and no suggestion of other diabetes types.

RESULTS

We diagnosed 312 cases of T1D <25y in 2013-2022. Male-to-female ratio was 1:1. T1D incidence <25y per 100,000 population/year increased from 0.08 (CI 95% 0.07-0.60) in 2013 to 0.34 (CI 95% 0.26-0.45) in 2022 (p=0.002). Incidence <15y/y rose from 0.04 (CI 95% 0.01-0.10) to 0.27 (CI 95% 0.18-0.38) per 100,000/year in 2013 and 2022, respectively (p < 0.002). Prevalence per 100,000 population <25y was 0.27 (CI 95% 0.19-0.37) in 2013 and rose to 1.76 (CI 95% 1.546-1.99) in 2022 (p<0.0001). Mortality rate was 20 (CI 95% 13-29.6) per 1,000-person y.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a low but sharply rising T1D incidence and prevalence rates in children and youth in Burkina Faso since LFAC program implementation. It is very likely this is partly due to improved case detection. Mortality remains substantial.

The T1D Index: Implications of Initial Results, Data Limitations, and Future Development

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Current global information on incidence, prevalence, and mortality of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To address this gap in evidence, JDRF, Life for a Child, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, and International Diabetes Federation have developed the T1D Index, which uses a Markov mathematical model, and machine learning and all available data to provide global estimates of the burden on T1D. This review assesses the methodology, limitations, current findings, and future directions of the Index.

RECENT FINDINGS

Global prevalence was estimated at 8.4 million in 2021, with 1.5 million <20 years (y). T1D prevalence varied from 1.5 to 534 per 100,000, with T1D accounting for <0.1-17.8% of all diabetes in different countries. A total of 35,000 young people <25 y are estimated to have died at clinical onset of T1D from non-diagnosis. An estimated 435,000 people <25 y were receiving "minimal care." Health-adjusted life years (HALYs) lost for individuals diagnosed with T1D at age 10 y in 2021 ranged from 14 to 55 y. These results show that interventions to reduce deaths from non-diagnosis, and improve access to at least an intermediate care level, are needed to reduce projected life years lost. The results have significant uncertainties due to incomplete data across the required inputs. Obtaining recent incidence, prevalence, and mortality data, as well as addressing data quality issues, misdiagnoses, and the lack of adult data, is essential for maintaining and improving accuracy. The index will be updated regularly as new data become available.

Survival of children and youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Tanzania

INTRODUCTION

Survival from type 1 diabetes Mellitus is low in lower-income countries with underdeveloped health systems. Support programs from partners like life for a child (LFAC) and changing diabetes in children (CDiC) were implemented in Tanzania in 2005 to provide diabetes care to children and youth. No evaluation of survival has been done since their implementation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the survival of children and youth living with diabetes mellitus (CYLDM) in Tanzania.

METHODS

A retrospective data collection from 39 clinics of CYLDM was done by extracting data from the diabetes registry between 1991 and 2019. Three cohort were analyzed (1) Cohort 1991-2004 (pre-implementation), (2) Cohort 2005-2010 (during implementation), and (3) 2011-2019 (after the implementation of LFAC/CDiC). Data were analyzed using STATA-version 14.

RESULTS

A total of 3822 data of CYLDM were extracted, mean age at diagnosis was 13.8 (±5) years. Approximately fifty-one percent (50.8%) were male. The total observation time was 28 years, and the Median duration of diabetes of 5 (IQR2, 8) years. Total death was 95 (3%), with a mean age at death of 17.7 (SD 4.7) years. The last cohort (2011-2019) had more diagnosis 2353 (72.7%), as compared to the <2005 cohort with only 163(5%). The survival improved from 59% before 2005 to 69% in the last cohort (2011-2019).

CONCLUSION

The implemented programs have facilitated the diagnosis and retention of CYLDM in the health care system. In doing so, it has also increased the survival probability in Tanzania compared to the early 90s.

Global incidence, prevalence, and mortality of type 1 diabetes in 2021 with projection to 2040: a modelling study

BACKGROUND

Accurate data on type 1 diabetes prevalence, incidence, associated mortality and life expectancy are crucial to inform public health policy, but these data are scarce. We therefore developed a model based on available data to estimate these values for 201 countries for the year 2021 and estimate the projected prevalent cases in 2040.

METHODS

We fitted a discrete-time illness-death model (Markov model) to data on type 1 diabetes incidence and type 1 diabetes-associated mortality to produce type 1 diabetes prevalence, incidence, associated mortality and life expectancy in all countries. Type 1 diabetes incidence and mortality data were available from 97 and 37 countries respectively. Diagnosis rates were estimated using data from an expert survey. Mortality was modelled using random-forest regression of published type 1 diabetes mortality data, and life expectancy was calculated accordingly using life tables. Estimates were validated against observed prevalence data for 15 countries. We also estimated missing prevalence (the number of additional people who would be alive with type 1 diabetes if their mortality matched general population rates).

FINDINGS

In 2021, there were about 8·4 (95% uncertainty interval 8·1-8·8) million individuals worldwide with type 1 diabetes: of these 1·5 million (18%) were younger than 20 years, 5·4 million (64%) were aged 20-59 years, and 1·6 million (19%) were aged 60 years or older. In that year there were 0·5 million new cases diagnosed (median age of onset 39 years), about 35 000 non-diagnosed individuals died within 12 months of symptomatic onset. One fifth (1·8 million) of individuals with type 1 diabetes were in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Remaining life expectancy of a 10-year-old diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2021 ranged from a mean of 13 years in low-income countries to 65 years in high-income countries. Missing prevalent cases in 2021 were estimated at 3·7 million. In 2040, we predict an increase in prevalent cases to 13·5-17·4 million (60-107% higher than in 2021) with the largest relative increase versus 2021 in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.

INTERPRETATION

The burden of type 1 diabetes in 2021 is vast and is expected to increase rapidly, especially in resource-limited countries. Most incident and prevalent cases are adults. The substantial missing prevalence highlights the premature mortality of type 1 diabetes and an opportunity to save and extend lives of people with type 1 diabetes. Our new model, which will be made publicly available as the Type 1 Diabetes Index model, will be an important tool to support health delivery, advocacy, and funding decisions for type 1 diabetes.

FUNDING

JDRF International.

Global estimates of incidence of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas, 10th edition

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence in children and adolescents varies widely, and is increasing in many nations. The 10th edition of the International Diabetes Federation Atlas estimated incident cases in 2021 for 215 countries/territories ("countries").

METHODS

Studies on T1D incidence for young people aged 0-19 years were sourced and graded using previously described methods. For countries without studies, data were extrapolated from similar nearby countries.

RESULTS

An estimated 108,300 children under 15 years will be diagnosed in 2021, a number rising to 149,500 when the age range extends to under 20 years. The ratio of incidence in 15-19 years compared to those aged 0-14 years was particularly high in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa/Middle East, and in Mexico. Only 97 countries have their own incidence data, with extrapolation required for some very populous nations. Most data published were not recent, with 27 countries (28%) having data in which the last study year was 2015 or afterwards, and 26 (27%) having no data after 1999.

CONCLUSIONS

Many countries have recent data but there are large gaps globally. Such data are critical for allocation of resources, teaching, training, and advocacy. All countries are encouraged to collect and publish current data.

Rapid increases in observed incidence and prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in children and youth in Mali, 2007-2016

AIMS

Determine incidence, prevalence and mortality of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and youth <25 years (y) in Mali during the first 10 years of the Santé Diabète/Life for a Child program.

METHODS

Data were collected from the prospective program register. Diagnosis of T1D was clinical, based on presentation, clinical features, immediate requirement for insulin, and no suggestion of other diabetes types.

RESULTS

Total of 460 cases were diagnosed with T1D <25 years in 2007-2016. Male-to-female ratio was 1.04:1. Peak age at onset was 15-16 years (range 1.1-24 years). T1D incidence <25 years per 100,000 population/year increased from 0.12 in 2007 to 0.74 in 2016 (an 18% annualized increase, p < 0.001). Incidence peaked at 0.80 in 2014, the year after an education campaign was conducted. Incidence <15 years rose from 0.12 to 0.35 per 100,000/year in 2007 and 2016, respectively, (14% annualized increase, p < 0.001). There was a steep, consistent increase in prevalence (per 100,000) from 0.43 in 2007 to 2.90 in 2016 (p < 0.001). Prevalence <15 years was 0.34/100,000 in 2007 and 1.02/100,000 by 2016 (p < 0.001). Overall crude mortality rate was 30.0/1000 patient years, equating to a standardized mortality rate of 9.0, with vital status known for 99.8% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Known incidence and prevalence of diabetes in Mali increased rapidly from 2007 to 2016, contemporaneous with the introduction and development of the Santé Diabète/Life for a Child program. Improved diagnosis and care resulting in lower mortality are likely contributors. True incidence may still be underestimated, with some cases still dying undiagnosed and full study ascertainment being uncertain.

Enteroviruses and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An Overlooked Relationship in Some Regions

Enteroviruses (EVs) infect millions of people annually. EV infections can be asymptomatic or symptomatic with conditions ranging from mild illnesses to serious diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy. A causal relationship between EV infections and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been heavily debated, with some studies suggesting that this relationship is not yet conclusive and requires additional evidence, whereas others strongly argue for this correlation. While this relationship is well investigated in some developed countries like the USA and Finland, it is understudied or neglected in other countries like Russia for many reasons such as the low incidence of T1DM. Although the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are highly affected by T1DM, the role of EVs in the disease in MENA has not been investigated extensively. Therefore, we aimed to address the relationship between T1DM and EVs in MENA and other regions globally.

Ongoing and planned activities to improve the management of patients with Type 1 diabetes across Africa; implications for the future

BACKGROUND

Currently about 19 million people in Africa are known to be living with diabetes, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045. However, there are concerns with early diagnosis of patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) as often patients present late with complications. There are also challenges with access and affordability of insulin, monitoring equipment and test strips with typically high patient co-payments, which can be catastrophic for families. These challenges negatively impact on the quality of care of patients with T1DM increasing morbidity and mortality. There are also issues of patient education and psychosocial support adversely affecting patients' quality of life. These challenges need to be debated and potential future activities discussed to improve the future care of patients with T1DM across Africa.

METHODOLOGY

Documentation of the current situation across Africa for patients with T1DM including the epidemiology, economics, and available treatments within public healthcare systems as well as ongoing activities to improve their future care. Subsequently, provide guidance to all key stakeholder groups going forward utilizing input from senior-level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa.

RESULTS

Whilst prevalence rates for T1DM are considerably lower than T2DM, there are concerns with late diagnosis as well as the routine provision of insulin and monitoring equipment across Africa. High patient co-payments exacerbate the situation. However, there are ongoing developments to address the multiple challenges including the instigation of universal health care and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, patient organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. Their impact though remains to be seen. In the meantime, a range of activities has been documented for all key stakeholder groups to improve future care.

CONCLUSION

There are concerns with the management of patients with T1DM across Africa. A number of activities has been suggested to address this and will be monitored.