Ow. Jordan et al., INCIDENCE OF TYPE-I DIABETES IN PEOPLE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE IN BARBADOS, WEST-INDIES, 1982-1991, Diabetes care, 17(5), 1994, pp. 428-431
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrynology & Metabolism","Medicine, General & Internal
OBJECTIVE- To determine the incidence of type I diabetes among individ
uals <30 years of age on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. The
population is predominantly African in origin but exhibits a relativel
y westernized lifestyle.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS- Cases occurring d
uring the years 1982-1991 were drawn from records at Queen Elizabeth H
ospital and from physicians treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellit
us (IDDM) patients. Patients using insulin and <30 years of age at ons
et were included. Ascertainment was estimated at 94%. RESULTS- The ave
rage annual incidence of type I diabetes among Barbadians was 4.1/100,
000 when age-adjusted to the world's population. There were 59 inciden
t cases during this 10-year interval. The risk for males was 4.4 and f
or females 4.0/100,000. Among those 0-14 years of age, the risk was 5.
0/100,000. Mean age at onset (+/- SD) was 14.7 +/- 6.9 for males and 1
2.5 +/- 5.7 for females. Males showed marked seasonal variation in ris
k and a more than threefold increase in annual incidence during 1984-1
985. In contrast, females exhibited a stable pattern of IDDM risk duri
ng the 10-year interval. CONCLUSIONS- The incidence rate in Barbados f
alls near the lower limits of rates reported for Caribbean populations
. There was a marked seasonal effect among males, even though the clim
ate varies little throughout the year. This observation, and the incid
ence peak during 1984-1985, provide support for the role of environmen
tal factors in the etiology of IDDM.