Time trends and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in cats presented to veterinary teaching hospitals

Abstract

Veterinary Medical Data Base records of cats with diabetes mellitus (DM) from 1970 through 1999 were reviewed to identify trends in hospital prevalence of DM and potential host risk factors. Hospital prevalence increased from eight cases per 10,000 in 1970 to 124 per 10,000 in 1999 (P < 0.001). Case fatality percent at first visit decreased from 40% to 10% (P < 0.001). Hospital prevalence increased in all age groups (P < 0.002). There was no apparent seasonal pattern in hospital prevalence. Significant risk factors included male gender, increasing age for both genders (P < 0.001), increasing weight for males (P < 0.001), and mixed vs pure breed for females (P = 0.006).

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Insured Swedish Cats in Relation to Age, Breed and Sex

“…Diabetes mellitus is a disease seen most frequently in older cats, with a mean age of diagnosis at approximately 11 years in this case material, which is consistent with the results of the previous studies 1, 6, 10. Our results demonstrate that the risk of developing DM continues to increase with age, with a peak risk at 13 years of age.…”

“…The Burmese predisposition in our study verifies previous results from European8 and Australian9, 10 studies. A Burmese breed predisposition has not been found in the United States 1, 6. A reason for this difference may be that the European and American Burmese breed lines have been kept separate for decades, and thus represent two different populations 19.…”

“…A reason for this difference may be that the European and American Burmese breed lines have been kept separate for decades, and thus represent two different populations 19. Another possible explanation is that too few purebred cats were included in the previous studies1, 6 to be able to detect breed predispositions. The reason for the Burmese cats having an increased risk of developing DM is still unknown, but a dyslipidemia reflecting an inborn error of lipid metabolism has been described in the breed 20.…”

“…Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats, and the prevalence reportedly has increased during the last few decades,1 comparable to the globally increasing prevalence described in humans 2. Most cats suffer from a type of diabetes similar to type 2 diabetes in humans, characterized by a relative deficiency of insulin combined with insulin resistance, in contrast to the primary beta cell deficiency seen in human type 1 diabetes.…”

“…Published data are based on hospital records,1, 6, 10, 12 submissions to laboratory services9, or insurance data 8. An increase in hospital prevalence from 8 cases per 10,000 cats in 1970 to 124 per 10,000 in 1999 was reported using tertiary care data in the United States 1…”