ABSTRACT
The aim of the studies was the assessment of Graves disease (G-D) incidence in children aged 0-15 years who inhabited the Krakowskie (K), Nowosadeckie (N) and Rzeszowskie (Rz) provinces in the years 1989-1996. The incidence of G-D was evaluated depending on the age, sex and place of residence (urban vs. rural area). The analyses for particular years were carried out separately for each province and for three provinces combined. The mean incidence coefficient (I.C.) for three provinces in the years 1989-1996 was 1.83. The highest incidence of G-D was noted in the group of 10-15 year old patients (I.C.=3.81). In the youngest children the disease was sporadic (I.C.=0.12). A significantly higher incidence rate was observed in girls, in whom the I.C. value was the highest in the oldest age group, amounting to 6.92. In boys the incidence of G-D was 8 times lower and the I.C. value in the 10-15 year group was 0.79. It was also demonstrated that the incidence of Graves disease in the entire group showed no significant differences in urban and rural areas. The incidence of Graves disease in subsequent years of the analyzed period was diversified. The linear regression analysis demonstrated a growing tendency in the years 1989-1996. In the period under investigation, the highest incidence was noted in the Rz region, where the standardize incident coefficient was 2.4. In the K and N provinces the incidence was lower and both cases amounted to 1.6 after standardization. The incidence of Graves disease showed a seasonal variation, associated with a significantly more frequent diagnosis established in autumn months.
