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Epidemiology of IDDM in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong
G W Wong1, S S Leung, S J Oppenheimer
1Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T.
Insights
This study found a very low incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Hong Kong children. The data provides crucial insights into childhood diabetes prevalence in southern Chinese populations.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), also known as Type 1 diabetes, is a significant pediatric health concern.
- Understanding regional incidence rates is vital for public health planning and resource allocation.
- Previous data on childhood IDDM in southern Chinese populations, particularly in Hong Kong, was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reliable epidemiological data on the incidence of childhood IDDM in Hong Kong.
- To determine the age- and sex-specific incidence rates of IDDM in children under 15 years of age.
- To contribute to the understanding of IDDM prevalence in East Asian populations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive registry was established in 1991, employing both retrospective and prospective data collection.
- Inclusion criteria focused on newly diagnosed IDDM cases in children under 15 years old between 1986 and 1990.
- Data ascertainment involved medical record review and validation through an independent school survey, achieving 93.8% completeness.
Main Results:
- The age-standardized incidence of IDDM in children under 15 was found to be 2.0 per 100,000 person-years.
- Incidence rates increased with age, with rates of 0.8, 2.2, and 2.8 per 100,000 person-years for age groups <4, 5-9, and 10-14 years, respectively.
- A higher incidence was observed in females (2.4/100,000/yr) compared to males (1.5/100,000/yr).
Conclusions:
- The study concludes that the incidence of childhood IDDM in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong is notably low.
- These findings highlight significant geographical variations in IDDM epidemiology.
- The data provides a valuable baseline for future research and public health initiatives concerning childhood diabetes in the region.
Objective:
To provide reliable data on the incidence of IDDM in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong.
Research Design And Methods:
A registry was established in 1991 to collect childhood IDDM cases retrospectively and prospectively from four districts in Hong Kong. The study included all newly diagnosed cases of IDDM with onset < 15 yr of age from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1990. Primary ascertainment was based on review of medical records at a regional hospital serving the four districts. An independent school survey validated registry data.
Results:
The completeness of ascertainment was 93.8%. The age-standardized incidence of IDDM was 2.0/100,000/yr with the 95% confidence interval of 1.2-3.0/100,000/yr for children < 15 yr of age during the study period. The incidence rates/100,000/yr for the three age-groups were: < or = 4 yr, 0.8; 5-9 yr, 2.2; 10-14 yr, 2.8. The incidence for males was 1.5/100,000/yr (95% confidence interval 0.7-2.9/100,000/yr) and for females, 2.4/100,000/yr (95% confidence interval 1.3-4.0/100,000/yr).
Conclusions:
This study documents a very low incidence rate of childhood IDDM in southern Chinese in Hong Kong.