Around 10% of the people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes (T1D) (1).
It may occur at any age, however it is the most common chronic disease seen in children (2).
- peak age of presentation is between 5-7 years of age and at or near puberty
- it is slightly more common in boys and men
A variation in incidence has been reported with season and birth month.
- more cases are diagnosed in autumn and winter
- spring births were associated with increased likelihood T1D (2)
A wide variation in the incidence and prevalence of T1D can be observed globally.
- it is more common in Finland (>60 cases per 100 000 people each year) and Sardinia (around 40 cases per 100 000 people each year)
- uncommon in China, India, and Venezuela (around 0·1 cases per 100 000 people each year).
- furthermore, a wide variation in incidence is seen in neighbouring areas in Europe and North America e.g. - incidence in Estonia is less than one-third of the incidence in Finland (the two countries are separated by less than 120km) (2).
An increase in the incidence of T1D is reported worldwide for several decades.
- annual increases in incidence in Finland, Germany, and Norway is 2·4%, 2·6%, and 3·3%, respectively
- the rise in incidence has fluctuated in other countries. In Sweden, the incidence rate has plateaued
- the increase in incidence is not seen equally across all age groups
- in Europe, the most substantial increases have been noted in children younger than 5 years of age
- the global incidence is expected to double over the next decade if the incidence rates continue to increase at the same rate (2)
IDDM accounts for:
- 25% of all new cases of primary diabetes
- 50% of all patients taking insulin
Diabetes UK state (1):
- there are about 35,000 children and young people with diabetes, under the age of 19 out of which 96% have Type 1 diabetes
- prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in children and young people under the age of 19 in the UK is one per 430 – 530
- the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children under the age of 14 is 24.5/100,000
- the peak age for diagnosis is between 10 and 14 years of age (1)
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