Cyclical variation in the incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes during 40 years in Navarra (Spain)

Clinical characteristics and management of type 1 diabetes in Spain. The SED1 study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the sociodemographic and clinical profile of a representative sample of people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in Spain and identify factors associated with glycemic control.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in adults and children with DM1 treated in 75 Spanish public hospitals, geographically distributed in order to be representative of the Spanish population. Within each center, the patients were included on a consecutive basis as they visited the clinic. They were interviewed, and their clinical histories were reviewed. A descriptive statistical analysis was made, and factors associated with HbA_1c were analysed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 647 patients were included: 55.3% females, aged 36.6 ± 14.4 years, 97.2% Caucasians, BMI 24.7 ± 4.4 kg/m² (12.1% ≥ 30 kg/m²), and 74.0% had secondary / university education. A total of 20.2% were active smokers. The mean time from the diagnosis of DM1 was 17.9 ± 12.0 years. A total of 48.7% presented comorbidities: 19.3% retinopathy and 16.4% hypothyroidism. As regards treatment for DM1, 76.5% received basal-bolus insulin therapy and 20.7% continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII); 51.0% of the patients used an insulin/carbohydrate ratio (ICR), with 4.6 ± 1.6 self-monitored capillary blood glucose (SMCBG) measurements a day, and 24.8% used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The mean HbA_1c value was 7.6 ± 1.1% (30% below 7%). Metabolic control improved (lower HbA_1c) with more daily SMCBG (B = -0.053; p = 0.009), a higher educational level (B = 0.461; P < 0.001), greater number of hypoglycemia episodes (B = -0.253; P = 0.018) and carbohydrate counting (B = -0.190; P = 0.048), and worsened the longer the duration of the disease (B = 0.010; P = 0.010), higher total dose of insulin (B = 0.010; P < 0.0001), poorer adherence to diet (B = 0.650; P < 0.0001) and a family history of DM (B = -0.233; P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of patients with DM1 in Spain, as well as the treatment they receive, is similar to that seen in other Western countries. Blood glucose control is associated with educational level, disease duration, and the characteristics of treatment and self-care.

Incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in Ireland remains high but no longer rising

AIM

The global incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) varies considerably geographically. Ireland has a high incidence of T1DM. Incidence accelerated between 1997 and 2008, although more recent data (2008-2013) suggested stabilisation in the incidence rate (IR). This study sought to determine IRs for 2014 to 2018.

METHODS

Incident cases were prospectively recorded through the established Irish Childhood Diabetes National Register (ICDNR). Cases were verified, and IRs were calculated. Capture-recapture methodology was identical to previous studies. Age and seasonality data were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 1429 cases were reported (age range 0.45-14.98 years), with significantly more males (772, 54%) and male-to-female ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 1.05, 1.29). Standardised IRs for T1DM in the period were 28.0; 29.6; 30.9; 27.0; and 27.1/100,000/year, respectively. There was a slight reduction in standardised IR, more marked in females than males (9.9% v 1.6%). The highest IR remains in the 10- to 14-year-old age group (44% of total cases). Seasonality of diagnosis is persistently higher in autumn and winter.

CONCLUSION

Ireland remains a high incidence country, despite a minor reduction in incidence rates. Ongoing incidence monitoring through national registers is vital to inform healthcare services, research relating to aetiology and paediatric diabetes management.

Clinical characteristics and management of type 1 diabetes in Spain. The SED1 study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the sociodemographic and clinical profile of a representative sample of people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in Spain and identify factors associated with glycemic control.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in adults and children with DM1 treated in 75 Spanish public hospitals, geographically distributed in order to be representative of the Spanish population. Within each center, the patients were included on a consecutive basis as they visited the clinic. They were interviewed, and their clinical histories were reviewed. A descriptive statistical analysis was made, and factors associated with HbA1c were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 647 patients were included: 55.3% females, aged 36.6±14.4 years, 97.2% Caucasians, BMI 24.7±4.4kg/m2 (12.1% ≥30kg/m2), and 74.0% had secondary / university education. A total of 20.2% were active smokers. The mean time from the diagnosis of DM1 was 17.9±12.0 years. A total of 48.7% presented comorbidities: 19.3% retinopathy and 16.4% hypothyroidism. As regards treatment for DM1, 76.5% received basal-bolus insulin therapy and 20.7% continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII); 51.0% of the patients used an insulin/carbohydrate ratio (ICR), with 4.6±1.6 self-monitored capillary blood glucose (SMCBG) measurements a day, and 24.8% used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The mean HbA1c value was 7.6±1.1% (30% below 7%). Metabolic control improved (lower HbA1c) with more daily SMCBG (B=-0.053; p=0.009), a higher educational level (B=0.461; P<0.001), greater number of hypoglycemia episodes (B=-0.253; P=0.018) and carbohydrate counting (B=-0.190; P=0.048), and worsened the longer the duration of the disease (B=0.010; P=0.010), higher total dose of insulin (B=0.010; P<0.0001), poorer adherence to diet (B=0.650; P<0.0001) and a family history of DM (B=-0.233; P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of patients with DM1 in Spain, as well as the treatment they receive, is similar to that seen in other Western countries. Blood glucose control is associated with educational level, disease duration, and the characteristics of treatment and self-care.

Very High Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Among Children Aged Under 15 Years in Tlemcen, Northwest Algeria (2015-2018)

Objective

In Algeria, there is a lack of epidemiological data concerning childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D). The International Diabetes Federation estimated in 2019 that Algeria ranked 7th among countries with the highest prevalence of T1D. This study aimed to determine the incidence of T1D in children <15 years, living in Tlemcen in Northwest Algeria.

Methods

A retrospective study using data from children (<15 years) who have been diagnosed with T1D in Tlemcen between 2015 and 2018, using the two-source capture–recapture method to estimate the completeness of ascertainment (%). Total average incidences, by sex, by onset age group, and by season of onset were calculated per 100,000 and per year.

Results

During the study period, 437 new cases of T1D were registered, among them, 233 boys and 204 girls, with a sex ratio of 1.14. The average annual incidence rate of childhood T1D was 38.5/100,000 with a 95% confidence interval (CI): 35.20-41.79; boys: 40.51, 95% CI: 38.16-42.85; girls: 36.49, 95% CI: 34.17-38.80. Overall incidence rates in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were respectively 36.6 (95% CI: 33.72-39.48), 38.7 (95% CI: 35.43-41.97), 39.3 (95% CI: 35.97-42.62) and 39.5 (95% CI: 36.12-42.87)/100,000. Newly diagnosed children were more likely to present in winter and autumn. Ketoacidosis at diagnosis was diagnosed in 29.2%.

Conclusion

The mean incidence of childhood T1D in Tlemcen was 38.5/100,000, this incidence is in the “extremely high” category of the World Health Organization DiaMond project classification of diabetes giving this region a very high risk.