Childhood diabetes, insulin, and Africa. DERI (Diabetes Epidemiology Research International) Study Group

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 phenotype of type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa

The phenotype of type 1 diabetes in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is poorly understood. Most previously conducted studies have suggested that type 1 diabetes may have a different phenotype from the classical form of the disease described in western literature. Making an accurate diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in Africa is challenging, given the predominance of atypical diabetes forms and limited resources. The peak age of onset of type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa seems to occur after 18-20 years. Multiple studies have reported lower rates of islet autoantibodies ranging from 20 to 60% amongst people with type 1 diabetes in African populations, lower than that reported in other populations. Some studies have reported much higher levels of retained endogenous insulin secretion than in type 1 diabetes elsewhere, with lower rates of type 1 diabetes genetic susceptibility and HLA haplotypes. The HLA DR3 appears to be the most predominant HLA haplotype amongst people with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa than the HLA DR4 haplotype. Some type 1 diabetes studies in sub-Saharan Africa have been limited by small sample sizes and diverse methods employed. Robust studies close to diabetes onset are sparse. Large prospective studies with well-standardized methodologies in people at or close to diabetes diagnosis in different population groups will be paramount to provide further insight into the phenotype of type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mortality amongst children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa: The case study of the Changing Diabetes in Children program in Cameroon

INTRODUCTION

Type 1 diabetes in Africa has been associated with high mortality attributed mainly to poor insulin access. Free insulin provision programs for people with type 1 diabetes have been introduced across Africa recently. We aimed to determine the mortality rate and associated factors in a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes who receive free insulin treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) medical records in Cameroon between 2011 and 2015.

RESULTS

The overall mortality rate was 33.0 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 25.2-43.2). Most deaths (71.7%) occurred outside of the hospital setting, and the cause of death was known only in 13/53 (24.5%). Mortality was substantially higher in CDiC participants followed up in regional clinics compared to the main urban CDiC clinic in Yaounde; 41 per 1000 years (95% CI 30.8-56.0) versus 17.5 per 1000 years (95% CI 9.4-32.5), and in those with no formal education compared to those who had some level of education; 68.0 per 1000 years (95% CI 45.1-102.2) versus 23.6 per 1000 years (95% CI 16.5-33.8). In Cox proportional multivariable analysis, urban place of care (HR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.57; p = 0.002) and formal education (HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.22-0.79; p = 0.007) were independently associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

Despite free insulin provision, mortality remains high in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Cameroon and is substantially higher in rural settings and those with no formal education.

Diabetes in the young - a global view and worldwide estimates of numbers of children with type 1 diabetes

This paper describes the methodology, results and limitations of the 2013 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Atlas (6th edition) estimates of the worldwide numbers of prevalent cases of type 1 diabetes in children (<15 years). The majority of relevant information in the published literature is in the form of incidence rates derived from registers of newly diagnosed cases. Studies were graded on quality criteria and, if no information was available in the published literature, extrapolation was used to assign a country the rate from an adjacent country with similar characteristics. Prevalence rates were then derived from these incidence rates and applied to United Nations 2012 Revision population estimates for 2013 for each country to obtain estimates of the number of prevalent cases. Data availability was highest for the countries in Europe (76%) and lowest for the countries in sub-Saharan Africa (8%). The prevalence estimates indicate that there are almost 500,000 children aged under 15 years with type 1 diabetes worldwide, the largest numbers being in Europe (129,000) and North America (108,700). Countries with the highest estimated numbers of new cases annually were the United States (13,000), India (10,900) and Brazil (5000). Compared with the prevalence estimates made in previous editions of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, the numbers have increased in most of the IDF Regions, often reflecting the incidence rate increases that have been well-documented in many countries. Monogenic diabetes is increasingly being recognised among those with clinical features of type 1 or type 2 diabetes as genetic studies become available, but population-based data on incidence and prevalence show wide variation due to lack of standardisation in the studies. Similarly, studies on type 2 diabetes in childhood suggest increased incidence and prevalence in many countries, especially in Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, but detailed population-based studies remain limited.

Improved glycemic control and acute complications among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Moshi, Tanzania

OBJECTIVE

There are an estimated 1000 children with diabetes in Tanzania. Recently, the first two pediatric endocrinologists, trained in the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE)/International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) program in Nairobi, Kenya, entered practice. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the impact of a 6-month diabetes management and education program on glycemic control and acute complications in children and adolescents in Tanzania.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Eighty-one patients aged 3-19 yr were enrolled. All were on split-dose Insulatard (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) and Actrapid (soluble, regular) insulin, and were given three glucose test strips per week. Children were seen in clinic an average of six times over 6 months and received 3 h of diabetes education. A structured questionnaire evaluated social demographic data and acute complications.

RESULTS

Despite regular clinic attendance, diabetes education, and provision of insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels did not improve. Four children (5%) had HbA1c 7.5%, 22 (28%) HbA1c 7.5-10%, 9 (24%) HbA1c 11-12.5%, and 36 (44%) HbA1c >12.5%. There was a substantial reduction in severe hypoglycemia, with 17% of subjects experiencing this acute complication compared to 52% in the 6 months prior to study enrolment. Six children were admitted in diabetic ketoacidosis during the study compared to three during the previous 6 months. Twenty-six children (36%) reported missing >6 doses of insulin (but only two lacked insulin).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes education significantly reduced the risk of severe hypoglycemia, but better glycemic control of diabetes was not attained. Further study is needed to explore factors to improve glycemic control including increased testing, or perhaps different insulin regimens.

Insulin use, prescription patterns, regimens and costs.-a narrative from a developing country

BACKGROUND

Achieving good glycemic control is of paramount importance in the reduction of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated morbidity and mortality. Insulin plays a key role in the management of DM but unfortunately whilst some healthcare providers present insulin as a treatment of last resort , patients on insulin often have insulin related issues such as needle phobias, fear of hypoglycaemia, weight gain and in developing countries, costs. This Report aims at assessing insulin prescription pattern, insulin costs and issues associated with adherence.

METHODS

This was a Cross-sectional observation Study whereby 160 patients with DM who were on insulin solely or in combination with oral hypoglycaemic agents were recruited over a 6 month period. Information obtained from the Study subjects pertained to their histories of DM, types of insulin, insulin costs, adherence issues and insulin delivery devices. Long and short term glycaemic control were determined and evaluated for possible relation to insulin adherence. Test statistics used were chi square, t test and binary regression.

RESULTS

Insulin adherence was noted in 123-77% of the Study subjects and this was comparable between persons with type 1 DM and those with type 2 DM. The mean glycosylated haemoglobin values were significantly higher in those who admitted to non insulin adherence compared to those who adhered to their insulin regimen (9.7% (2.3) Vs 8.6% (2.1), p = 0.01). Reasons proffered by Respondents for non insulin adherence included high costs-15(41%), inconvenience -15 (41%) and needle pain-79)18%. A greater proportion of persons who self injected insulin adhered to insulin prescriptions compared to those who did not self inject and thus had better glycaemic control. Shorter duration of DM and older age were found to be predictors of adherence to insulin prescription.The monthly mean costs of insulin for those who earned an income was 5212.8 Nigerian naira which is equivalent to 33.1 US dollars and we estimated that persons on a minimum wage would spend 29% of their monthly income on the procurement of insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Health related costs, age, duration of DM and insulin associated side effects are some of the factors implicated in adherence to insulin prescription.

Looking beyond the issue of access to insulin: what is needed for proper diabetes care in resource poor settings

Insulin's indispensible nature is recognised by its inclusion in the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List. Despite this insulin is still not available on an uninterrupted basis in many parts of the developing world. The International Insulin Foundation has conducted in-country assessments and based on these findings, the barriers to access to insulin were more to do with problems linked distribution, tendering and government policies than purely accessibility and affordability issues. Lack of insulin leads to poor outcomes for people with diabetes, but access to medicines alone cannot improve levels of health in resource poor settings. Aspects such as strong political will and local champions, data, trained healthcare workers and diabetes associations are just as necessary. Strengthening health systems and developing sustainable and locally owned solutions are vital to improve health and health care for people with diabetes and other chronic conditions in resource poor settings.

Diabetes care in sub-Saharan Africa

The increasing numbers of people with type 2 diabetes is a worldwide concern. It presents an added challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where diabetes must compete for resources with communicable diseases. A scarcity of financial resources and appropriate staff mean that many people with type 2 diabetes have complications and that those with type 1 diabetes have an extremely short life-expectancy, whether or not they have been diagnosed with the disorder. We review the current evidence on diabetes care in sub-Saharan Africa and propose an 11-point action plan to address this problem in the region.

Living with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Vietnam: a survey of parents

OBJECTIVE

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has the potential to place an enormous burden on families in resource-poor countries, and the aim of this survey was to provide more specific insights into the difficulties faced by families living with CAH in Vietnam. It is hoped that this information will be used to ensure that future efforts to reduce the burden of CAH are as effective, sustainable and appropriate as possible.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A questionnaire-based needs assessment survey was offered to parents of children with CAH who were attending the Annual CAH Support Group Meeting held at the National Hospital of Pediatrics (NHP) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 10th June 2005.

RESULTS

Fifty-three families responded to the questionnaire. Information pertaining to the purchase and use of medication to treat CAH, access to medical care, surgical treatment for girls, and a wide range of parental concerns was collected.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey highlights the heavy burden that CAH places on families in Vietnam, and provides significant insights into various initiatives that could well help ease this suffering. In particular, efforts must be made to ensure essential medication is affordably available, communication of important messages to parents is enhanced, local support groups encouraged, and early diagnosis and medical treatment of CAH optimized so as to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Access to care for patients with insulin-requiring diabetes in developing countries: case studies of Mozambique and Zambia

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the barriers to care for patients with insulin-requiring diabetes in Mozambique and Zambia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access to collect information through interviews, discussions, site visits, and document reviews. Government organizations, health facilities, care givers, and patients were asked about care for people with insulin-requiring diabetes. Between 100 and 200 interviews/discussions per country were undertaken in and around the capital city and the regional capital and in a rural area.

RESULTS

Insulin was present in both countries in sufficient quantities, although the financial burden for health services and patients meant that problems with supply exist. There are problems with quantification of needs and equitable distribution of insulin. Problems with availability of syringes and testing equipment were noted, particularly in Mozambique. This lack of tools and infrastructure for diagnosis and follow-up coupled with low levels of health care worker training and lack of diagnostic reagents resulted in a substantial risk of misdiagnosis or failure to detect diabetes. The estimated prevalence of insulin-requiring diabetes differs more than 10-fold between urban and rural areas in Mozambique and 4-fold between Mozambique and Zambia, suggesting that problems in diagnosis and care result in substantial worsening of prognosis for such patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin is necessary but not sufficient to improve prognosis for diabetic patients. A Rapid Assessment Protocol methodology can be used to define problems in health care delivery for diabetes. Proper care for insulin-requiring diabetes necessitates health systems able to provide trained personnel, medicines in sufficient quantity, and diagnostic and monitoring facilities.

Etiology and outcome of childhood and adolescent diabetes mellitus in North India

The etiology of childhood onset diabetes mellitus (DM) varies between regions and races, and its long-term outcome is affected by social and economic factors. There are scant data on the etiology of childhood DM and outcome of multidisciplinary team management from developing countries. We retrospectively analyzed case records of 160 predominantly middle socio-economic group patients with onset of DM < or =18 years of age for etiology and features at presentation. In addition, we prospectively studied acute and chronic complications and metabolic control in a subset of 67 patients. Type 1 DM comprised 81%, type 2 DM 8%, and fibrocalculous pancreatic DM 9% of patients. Mean HbA1c was 8.0+/-1.5%. Retinopathy was present in 22% and nephropathy in 18% of those with DM duration > or =5 years (mean age 21.2+/-6.8 years, mean duration 10.2+/-4.6 years). The frequency of ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia was 5.0 and 3.3 episodes per 100 patient years. Mortality was 7% over 823 person years of follow up. We conclude that fairly good metabolic control is achievable in a middle socio-economic population in India, with the assistance of a diabetes education program. The frequency of microvascular complications is comparable to that in the literature. However, mortality remains unacceptably high.

Insulin for the world's poorest countries

In the industrialised world, type 1 diabetes rarely results in death from ketoacidosis. The same is not true in many countries in the developing world where insulin availability is intermittent, and insulin may not even be included on national formularies of essential drugs. The life expectancy for a newly diagnosed patient with type 1 diabetes in some parts of Africa may be as short as 1 year. The World Bank has identified 40 highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs) whose national debt substantially exceeds any possibility of repayment without heavy impact on health and social programmes. Incidence and prognosis of type 1 diabetes in HIPCs are lower than in most industrialised countries, and 0.48% of the world's current use of insulin is estimated to be sufficient to treat all type 1 diabetic patients in these countries. A proposal is made for the major insulin manufacturers to donate insulin, at an estimated cost of US$3-5 million per year, as part of a distribution and education initiative for type 1 diabetic patients in the HIPCs. No type 1 diabetic patient in the world's poorest countries need then die because they, or their government, cannot afford insulin.

Migrant populations and the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus: an overview of the literature with a focus on the Spanish-heritage countries in Latin America

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a 'chronic' autoimmune disorder leading to the destruction of the pancreatic beta cell. The natural history of diabetes includes a long subclinical (prediabetes) period. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and characterized by the interaction of environmental factors, with predisposing genes, most of which are associated with the HLA DR DQ loci. The relatively recent development of worldwide incidence registries for Type 1 DM has allowed us to compare the epidemiological results obtained in most parts of the world. This approach is particularly valuable in analysing the effects of migration of populations from one area of the world where the incidence of Type 1 DM is different (usually lower) to a new geographic setting. Properly designed migrant studies may be valuable in uncovering whether the genetic background remains more important than the new 'exposure' as illustrated by the Sardinian migration to Lazio and Lombardy. The presence of some putative 'protective' environmental exposures or the absence of those prevalent in the country of origin may explain the usually lower Type 1 DM incidence observed in most countries (Chile, Peru, Mexico) sharing a 'Spanish caucasoid genetic pool', and even in relatively genetically homogeneous groups such as Japanese populations migrating to Hawaii. In fact, the disease is caused by both genetic and environmental factors and to convince the scientific community of this fact is a primary responsibility for epidemiologists.

Prospective study of incidence of juvenile diabetes mellitus over 10 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the annual incidence of diabetes requiring treatment with insulin in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during a 10 year period from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1991.

DESIGN

Prospective registration at a major urban hospital of all patients with newly diagnosed diabetes who were resident in Dar es Salaam.

SETTING

Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

PATIENTS

86 patients: 45 male, 41 female.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of juvenile diabetes for both sexes was 1.5 per 100,000 population aged 0-19 years (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.7). Incidence per 100,000 population per year increased with age: 0.6 (0.0 to 0.13) in the age group 0-4 years, 0.5 (0.3 to 0.7) at 5-9 years, 2.2 (1.8 to 2.6) at 10-14 years, and 3.4 (2.9 to 3.9) at 15-19 years.

CONCLUSION

Juvenile diabetes mellitus is fairly rare in sub-Saharan Africa. If environmental factors such as infection and material deprivation were important determinants of insulin dependent diabetes in Africans, as they may be in Europeans, much higher rates would have been expected unless genetic factors possibly exert a protective role. The eightfold greater incidence in African Americans than in Tanzanians may be related to greater genetic admixture in African Americans with people from countries in Europe with a high incidence.

Relation between early introduction of solid food to infants and their weight and illnesses during the first two years of life

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relations between early introduction of solid food and infant weight, gastrointestinal illness, and allergic illnesses during the first two years of life.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study of infants followed up for 24 months after birth.

SETTING

Community setting in Dundee.

PATIENTS

671 newborn infants, of whom 455 were still available for study at 2 years of age.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Infants' diet, weight, and incidence of gastrointestinal illness, respiratory illness, napkin dermatitis, and eczema at 2 weeks and 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months of age.

RESULTS

The infants given solid food at an early age (at < 8 weeks or 8-12 weeks) were heavier than those introduced to solids later (after 12 weeks) at 4, 8, 13, and 26 weeks of age (p < 0.01) but not at 52 and 104 weeks. At their first solid feed those given solids early were heavier than infants of similar age who had not yet received solids. The incidence of gastrointestinal illness, wheeze, and nappy dermatitis was not related to early introduction of solids. There was a significant but less than twofold increase in respiratory illness at 14-26 weeks of age and persistent cough at 14-26 and 27-39 weeks of age among the infants given solids early. The incidence of eczema was increased in the infants who received solids at 8-12 weeks of age.

CONCLUSION

Early introduction of solid food to infants is less harmful than was previously reported. Longer follow up is needed, but, meanwhile, a more relaxed approach to early feeding with solids should be considered.