epidemiological study of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] in east Cairo school age pupils and students

ABSTRACT

This study is a trial to determine the prevalence rate of IDDM and to understand some epidemiologic feature of this disease among school age students in Heliopolis district [5 primary, 2 preparatory and 4 secondary schools]. The subject of the study were 9166 students, of whom 4128 were males and 5038 were females. The age range was between 6-12 in 3024 students [1793 males and 1231 females], and 12-15 years in 2482 students [1297 males and 1185 females] and between 15-18 years in 3660 students [1038 males and 2622 females]. Their mean ages and standard deviation were 9.1 +/- 1.1, 13.4 +/- .94 and 16.3 +/- .93 respectively]. These students were survyed for the presence of IDDM by means of urine testing using glucotest followed by determination of blood glucose level. The prevalence rate of IDDM in the present study was 1.09/1000 with male predominance. In our study 70% of cases of IDDM occurred between 10-14 year. All cases were first diagnosed during autumn and winter. In formation from this study clarified that, in most cases there was a history of viral infection and positive family history of diabetes. [80% and 80% respectively]