Abstract
BackgroundThe incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide. Since so little is known about work life of individuals with type 1 diabetes, we examined incidence and prevalence trends of type 1 diabetes among working-aged Finns. We also investigated the employment rate and how workers with type 1 diabetes perceive their health and work ability, and their intended retirement age.MethodsWe analyzed changes in the incidence, prevalence, and employment rate using nationwide multi-register-based FinDM data, and estimated a Self-Rated Health, Work Ability Score, and inquired about retirement intentions of 767 working individuals with type 1 diabetes in a cross-sectional survey. All estimates were compared to the corresponding data of the Finnish general population.ResultsThe average annual age-standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes among men aged 18–39 was 29 per 100,000/year; the incidence rate has increased by 33% from 1992 to 2007. Among women, the incidence remained at 16 per 100,000/year. Among working-aged (18–64) people, the age-standardized prevalence of type 1 diabetes increased by 39% among women and 33% among men. Two out of every three working aged individuals with type 1 diabetes were in the labor force; this is about 10% lower than in the Finnish population. The average age-standardized employment rate among those individuals with type 1 diabetes belonging to the labor force was 82%, compared to 84% in the general population. Working individuals with type 1 diabetes rated their health and work ability as being slightly lower than the general working population, but nonetheless, there were no significant differences in retirement intentions.ConclusionsBetween 1992 and 2007, the number of working-aged people and workers with type 1 diabetes increased by 35%. Most workers with type 1 diabetes manage as well at work as the general population. Special attention should be paid to workers with type 1 diabetes when they are diagnosed and/or report moderate or poor work ability.
Highlights
The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide
Incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes among working-aged individuals in Finland in 1992–2007 The average annual age-standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes among women aged 18–39 years was 16 per 100,000 per year, and it remained at the same level throughout the 1992–2007 period (Fig. 1)
71% of 18–39 aged men and women with incident type 1 diabetes belonged to the labor force when diagnosed and 79% of incident cases belonging to labor force were employed (Fig. 1)
Summary
The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide. The incidence of type 1 diabetes has increased globally on average by 3–5% per year [1]. Finland has the highest rate of type 1 diabetes in the world [2, 3]. There are about 50,000 people with type 1 diabetes in Finland, i.e. 0.9% of the total population [5, 6]. 0.9% of the total population [5, 6] They represent about 15% of the prevalent diagnosed cases of diabetes in Finland [7]. In type 1 diabetes, the blood glucose level tends to be elevated. A worker with type 1 diabetes has to ensure that his/her blood glucose level remains optimal during the working hours [9]. Optimal control of blood glucose levels is important in the short term, it is necessary to avoid severe long-term
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