The epidemic study and burden of type 1 diabetes in China

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) threatens the health of children, adolescents and adults. Little was known on the epidemiological and health economic status of T1D in China, which hindered related policy making. The patients with T1D in China faced challenges including low frequency of blood glucose monitoring, improper insulin administration, poor glycaemic control, high rates of diabetic complications and heavy economic burden. The estimated incidence of T1D per 100000 persons years for all ages in China was 1.01 (95% confidence interval 0.18 to 1.84). Incidence per 100000 persons years by age group was 1.93 (0.83 to 3.03) for 0–14 years, 1.28 (0.45 to 2.11) for 15–29 years, and 0.69 (0.00 to 1.51) for ≥30 years. The proportion of new onset cases in participants aged ≥20 years was 65.3%. We found rapid increase of incidence of T1D in China. The current status of T1D in China was unsatisfactory and the patients were under heavy burden. We should conduct more clinical trials and appeal for support from government or other organizations and to help the patients with T1D.