Insulin-dependent diabetes in a Scottish region: incidence and urban/rural differences

The incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the 0-18 year age group was studied in Tayside Region for the years 1980 to 1983. The mean annual rate of 21.7 per 100,000 is high in international terms and suggests that the rise in incidence observed in Scotland in the 1970s has continued. Urban and rural incidences were compared using postcodes. Rural rates were significantly (0.02 greater than p greater than 0.01) higher, due mainly to the difference in rates for the 0-9 age groups.