Increasing trend of type 1 diabetes incidence in the pediatric population of the Calabria region in 2019–2021

Abstract

Background Although type 1 diabetes (T1D) represents one of the most common chronic diseases in pediatric age, few studies on the epidemiology of T1D exist globally and the exact prevalence and incidence rates of the disease are unknown. In many countries, including Italy, national registries are missing. Methods This study aims to assess T1D incidence in the pediatric population of the Calabria region (southern Italy) in the period 2019–2021. The secondary objective was to describe the main demographical, clinical and immunological features of incident cases. Case ascertainment and all clinical data were assessed by retrospectively reviewing the electronic medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with diabetes at any Pediatric Diabetes Center belonging to the Rete Diabetologica Calabrese (Calabria Region Diabetes Network), from January 2019 to December 2021. The incidence of T1D was estimated for the entire region and was stratified according to age group (0–4 years, 5–9 years, and 10–14 years) and gender. Standardized incidence ratios for each province in the region were also calculated. Results The crude incidence of T1D was 20.6/100,000 person/years. Incidence rates were higher among females and children aged 5–9 years. The crude incidence of T1D was higher in the province of Reggio Calabria (26.5/100,000 person-years). The provinces of Crotone, Catanzaro, and Vibo Valentia showed significantly lower standardized incidence ratios. The annual incidence in the region progressively increased by 43% during the study period. Conclusions Our study revealed a relatively high incidence in the Calabria region. The marked increasing incidence trend over the past two years could be related to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but further long-scale population-based studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of long-term conditions in Wales: a population data linkage study using primary and secondary care health records

“…SARIMA model specification and estimated parameters for analysis of incidence rates and counts are shown in Supplementary Tables 10 and 11, respectively. Supplementary Tables 12 to 31 show annual incidence by socio-demographic factors from 2015 to 2021. The study dashboard (link above) includes data from 2000.…”

Trends in nationwide incidence of pediatric type 1 diabetes in Montenegro during the last 30 years

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Challenges and Barriers of Physical Activity Among Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Parents: A Systematic Review

“…However, the peak occurs in children between five to seven years old or around adolescence, thereby familiarizing its occurrence in childhood (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). In line with this statement, Passanisi et al (2022) stated that the highest prevalence of T1DM was found at the age of 5 to 9 years and 10 to 14 years. Although its prevalence is relatively lower among younger children, the incidence tends to increase progressively in this age group.…”