Type 1 diabetes in the Maltese Islands

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Pediatrics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a significant global health concern.
• Understanding regional T1D prevalence and incidence is crucial for public health planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence and incidence of Type 1 diabetes in individuals under 32 years old in Malta.
• To analyze age of onset, sex differences, and seasonal patterns of T1D in the Maltese population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study identifying T1D cases attending Malta's primary diabetic clinic by the end of 1987.
• Age-adjusted prevalence and mean annual incidence rates were calculated for the 0-19 age group.
• Analysis of age of onset, sex distribution, and onset seasonality.

Main Results:

• The age-adjusted prevalence of T1D in 0-19 year olds was 110.3 per 100,000 (girls: 126.2, boys: 95.3).
• Mean annual incidence (1980-1987) in 0-19 year olds was 13.3 per 100,000.
• Males were diagnosed 2.1 years later than females; peak onset was 10-14 years, with a seasonal peak from November to February.

Conclusions:

• T1D incidence rates in Malta are comparable to Nordic countries.
• The findings suggest that Type 1 diabetes in Malta may be underestimated.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these epidemiological trends.