EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INSULIN-DEPENDENT AND NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS IN POLAND

In 1986 a register of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was s et up which comprised the population of 3 cities in Poland (1.7 millio n people aged between 0-29 yr). In 1988 we joined the Eurodiab Study, and in 1990 the Diamond Study. All registered patients had to fulfil t he following criteria - had IDDM diagnosed according to the National D iabetes Data Group (NDDG) recommendation - had onset of diabetes at an age between 0 and 29 yr after 31 Dec. 1985 - had to be resident in th e selected areas. The register originates from 3 independent sources, primary data source has been provided by provincial outpatient clinics , by respective medical academies, pediatrics and internal medical dep artments or parallel town hospital wards, and a retrospective review w as performed on the basis of hospital records. From 1986-1991 mean ann ual incidence rate was 5.3 (3.3-7.7 range) with the confidence-interva l level 95%. From 1985 to Sept 1986, randomised population studies wer e performed in subjects aged 25 to 74 yr inhabiting the Old City in Wr oclaw. The sample population, i.e. 5.3% of the whole population compri sed 1,169 men and 1,351 women. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed using N DDG criteria. The incidence of diagnosed diabetes was 3.59% in men and 3.94% in women, including known diabetes in 2.31% of men and 2.51% of women - therefore ''unknown'' diabetes made up about 35% of all cases . Carbohydrate intolerance was found in 2.48% of men and 3.32% of wome n. We found a close relationship between the incidence of diabetes, ca rbohydrate intolerance, age and obesity. In comparison with Eurodiab D ata the incidence rate of IDDM in Poland is one of the lowest, althoug h prevalence of NIDDM is comparable to other European countries.