Epidemiology of childhood type I diabetes in Crete, 1990–2001

Abstract

Aim: To study the epidemiological patterns of childhood‐onset type I diabetes in Crete, Greece. Methods: The incidence (new cases per 100000 per year) from 1990 to 2001 was determined in the population of Crete ≤14 y of age. Results: A total of 89 cases was ascertained. The standardized annual incidence rate was 6.1 per 100000 population [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.9‐7.5]. Incidence rates were higher in children 10–14 y of age, boys and residents of urban areas (6.8, 6.7 and 6.6 per 100000, respectively). Incidence rates were higher [relative risk (RR) 1.46, 95% CI 0.956‐2.24] during the 6 y period 1996–2001 (7.2, 95% CI 5.4‐9.4) than during the 6 y period 1990–1995 (4.9, 95% CI 3.4‐6.9). This increase was more prominent in residents of urban areas and 10–14‐y‐old children. Conclusions: Although an increase was noted during the period 1990–2001, the childhood type I diabetes incidence rates in Crete remain among the lowest both in Europe and in the Mediterranean islands.

Type 1 diabetes is associated with alexithymia in nondepressed, non-mentally ill diabetic patients: A case-control study

“…However, several limitations should also be considered: First, the cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow the assessment of causal relationships. The patient sample was relatively small, although the low standardized annual incidence rate of T1D in Crete (6.1 per 100,000 persons for childhood type 1 diabetes) [64] should be taken into account. Second, the lack of a control group suffering from chronic somatic illness does not allow assessment of the specificity of our findings to T1D vs. chronicity of illness.…”

HLA-DR-DQ haplotypes and type 1 diabetes in Macedonia

“…However, the disease incidence undoubtedly is also affected by environmental factors, as demonstrated by the continuous increase in incidence rate. These still poorly understood environmental effects may very well explain why the incidence in Macedonia is still only about half of that seen in populations showing quite similar HLA risk haplotype distribution in adjacent areas [10,11].…”

Trends in epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in Greece. Review of the major epidemiological studies

“…In the period 1990-2001, Mamoulakis et al [19], estimated the incidence of type1 DM at 6.1/100.000 per year in the region of Crete. When comparing the individual data, the average annual prevalence was estimated at 4.9 in the six-year period 1990-1995 (similar to Dakou) and increased to 7.2/100.000 in the six-year period 1996-2001.…”