Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in France, 2010-2015

Abstract

Aims: To estimate type 1 diabetes incidence in children in France and its evolution between 2010 and 2015, based on comprehensive medico-administrative databases.

Methods: The algorithm built to identify new cases of type 1 diabetes selected children aged between 6 months and 14 years who had at least one hospital stay for diabetes, followed by their first insulin treatment, excluding children suffering from another form of diabetes. Age and sex specific annual incidence rates were estimated and time trend was analyzed using Poisson regression.

Results: A total of 12 067 children were identified as newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and the annual incidence rates increased between 2010 and 2015 (from 15.4 [95% Confidence Interval: 14.7; 16.1] to 19.1 [18.3; 19.9] per 100 000 person-years), among boys and girls, and in each age group (4 and under, 5-9, 10-14 year olds). The annual rate of increase was 4.0% [3.4; 4.6]. This trend was not significantly different between each gender, and each age group.

Conclusions: Valid database information on disease incidence is essential for healthcare planning and provides a valuable resource for health research. An increase of the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes in children was highlighted in both sexes and in all age groups.

Keywords: Child; Database; Diabetes mellitus, Type 1; Epidemiology; Incidence.