Incidence and trends of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Croatia from 1995 to 2003

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to examine incidence and trends of Type 1 diabetes in children aged 0–14 years in Croatia from 1995 to 2003. Methods The incidence data were obtained from two sources. The incidence was calculated as the number of newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes patients per 100,000 person-years for the age group 0–14 years, and subgroups 0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 years. Standardized incidence was calculated using the method of direct standardization to the world standard population for the age group 0–14 years. The ascertainment was estimated with capture–recapture method. Trends in the incidence of Type 1 diabetes for period from 1995 to 2003 in Croatia were analyzed using Poisson regression model. Results The standardized incidence of Type 1 diabetes for the whole age group was 8.87 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 5.07–12.68), for girls 8.47 (95% CI: 7.54–9.41) and for boys 9.26 (95% CI: 8.30–10.21). During the studied period, the trend in incidence raised significantly for the whole age group ( χ 2 = 32.6, p < 0.001). The average annual increase in incidence was 9% (95% CI: 5.8–12.2). Conclusions/interpretation This rate of incidence places Croatia in a group of countries with moderate risk for development of Type 1 diabetes. The average annual increase in incidence of 9% is markedly higher than in most European countries, and probably reflects lifestyle changes upon economic recovery of the country.