Type I diabetes [iddm]; an epidemiological study from southern Iran

ABSTRACT

This epidemiological study was carried out to determine the prevalence of IDDM in the age group of 0-18 years in southern Iran. To ensure completeness of the data, two different sources were used School Health Services and patient records from hospitals and diabetic clinics where all diabetic cases are referred for management. To evaluate the effect of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease, for each diabetic child two of his or her classmates were selected as controls. The prevalence of diabetes in the age group zero to 18 years was 40.83 per 100,000 children. The annual incidence of diabetes in this age group was 4/100,000 with a higher frequency in females. A seasonal variation was noted in the onset of symptoms; highest during October and lowest during August [p<0.001]. Analysis of breast feeding practices did not reveal any significant difference between the diabetic and the control groups [median duration 4.47 months]. Positive history of insulin- requiring diabetes in the first degree family members of 184 cases of IDDM and 462 control subjects was 15.2 and 1.3% respectively [p<0.001]. Both patients and controls, reported a similarly low frequency of NIDDM in their first degree relatives [6.5% in patients and 4.8% in the control group]. Determination of major blood groups and Rh in diabetics and control population showed a lack of association between IDDM and blood group and Rh [p=0.15]. The majority of the patients presented initially with the classical signs and symptoms of diabetes and 15% presented with diabetic ketoacidosis