The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents in 1990-2000

Nicos Skordis, Stasinos Theodorou, Theonitsa Apsiotou, Stavros Stavrou, Evi Herakleous, Savvas C. Savva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain the exact incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in Greek-Cypriots under the age of 15yr, to analyze possible gender differences in the age of onset and to observe any seasonal variation in the manifestation of the disease. Research design and methods: All cases of newly diagnosed DM1 patients under the age of 15yr from 1990 to 2000 were collected and relevant information was obtained. The data were statistically processed in relation to the population data provided by the Department of Statistics and Research of the Ministry of Finance. Results: The mean annual incidence of DM1 in the Greek population of Cyprus under the age of 15yr for the period 1990-2000 is 11.32/100 000. There is a trend towards increasing incidence during this period. There is a gender influence on the age of onset: more males develop DM1 before the age of 6 yr and after 13 yr. Moreover, there is a gender difference in the group who manifest DM1 in the age range 5-9yr, with females having a mean age of onset of 8.1 yr, compared with 7.3 yr for males. There is a statistically significant seasonal variation, but not among preschool subjects who manifest DM1 before the age of 4yr. Conclusions: DM1 is a common condition in Greek-Cypriots under the age of 15yr. The gender difference in the age of onset probably reflects the peripubertal period of each gender. The seasonal variation cannot be solely attributed to weather and temperature changes. This survey covers a 10-yr period and deals with an adequate number of reported cases; therefore, it could contribute to the international effort to determine the exact pathogenesis of DM1.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)200-204
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Diabetes
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2002

Keywords

  • Diabetes mellitus 1
  • Epidemiology
  • Incidence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents in 1990-2000'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this