INCIDENCE OF INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS (0-14 YEARS) IN THE ABRUZZO REGION, ITALY, 1990-1995 - RESULTS FROM A POPULATION-BASED REGISTER

Objective: To provide incidence data of insulin dependent diabetes mel litus (IDDM) in the Abruzzo Region, Italy in 0-14 year-old children an d contribute to a better understanding of IDDM geographical variabilit y throughout Italy. Subjects and methods: All incident cases younger t han 15 years first diagnosed with IDDM according to the WHO criteria b etween 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1995 and resident in the Abruzzo Region were recorded. The primary sources were divisions of pediatric s, endocrinology or medicine, diabetic centers for adult patients and the Regional Pediatric Diabetology Centre, Secondary independent sourc es included registered prescriptions for insulin in local district uni ts of the National Health System and the regional IDDM association for children. Results: During the six years, 117 new cases of IDDM in the age-group 0-14 were identified, with an overall standardized incidenc e rate of 9.34/100,000/year (95% C.I. 7.76-10.95), The crude incidence rate was highest in the 10-14 year age-group (10.64, 95% C.I. 7.66-13 .62), Teramo province showed the highest standardized incidence rate, 10.30/100,000/year (95% C.I. 6.58-14.02); it is noteworthy that the ID DM rate in Teramo (15.40/100,000/year) was the highest in peninsular I taly in 1994. Abruzzo Region shows significantly higher rates than oth er central Italian regions. No significant difference in rates between males and females was observed. Seasonality was not observed from inc idence data. Conclusions: We report the highest incidence rate for IDD M in children in the Italian mainland in the years 1990-95. Our findin gs confirm the need for epidemiological research to provide more infor mation about the distribution of genetic markers and the etiologic rol e of environmental factors in Italian regions.