Cyclical variation in the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in Western Australia (1985-2010)

Diabetes Care. 2012 Nov;35(11):2300-2. doi: 10.2337/dc12-0205. Epub 2012 Jul 26.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in Western Australia from 1985-2010.

Research design and methods: Incidence rates were calculated for children aged 0-14 years and were analyzed by calendar year, sex, and age at diagnosis.

Results: There were 1,873 cases, and the mean incidence was 18.1/100,000 person-years (95% CI: 17.5-19.2). The incidence increased by 2.3% a year (1.6-2.9%) with a sinusoidal 5-year cyclical variation of 14% (7-22%). The lowest rate of increase in incidence was observed in 0-4-year-olds.

Conclusions: The cyclical pattern in incidence observed supports the role of environmental factors in childhood type 1 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Western Australia / epidemiology