Diabetes is a world health problem. People with this disease produce little or no insulin, or have an ineffective insulin response that causes their blood sugar levels to rise abnormally.
Among the differing types of diabetes, type 1 is probably the most common in childhood and adolescence – in 2019, About 1.5 million people under the age of 20 Affected worldwide, and of the 16,300 deaths brought on by diabetes amongst people under the age of 25, 73.7% were due to type 1 diabetes..
Despite recent progress, controlling the disease remains to be a challenge for health systems worldwide.
A serious health problem in childhood
Type 1 diabetes a Chronic autoimmune disease In which the immune system attacks and destroys the cells within the pancreas that produce insulin. To make up for the deficiency, patients need to administer insulin by injection or delivery devices reminiscent of an insulin pump.
In addition, individuals with diabetes need to watch their blood sugar in addition to control dietary intake (especially carbohydrates), physical activity, and other aspects that may alter blood glucose levels. are
Poor disease management increases blood sugar. Over time, it will probably affect or damage vital organs within the body, including the guts, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.
Therefore, it is crucial to know the evolution of the variety of young individuals with this disease so as to discover its causes, and to offer health authorities with data that can help to discover recent cases as soon as possible. .
The variety of cases has almost doubled.
To provide this much needed information, we The incident was reviewed – i.e. the proportion of latest cases of the disease over a period from 1994 to 2021 in relation to the population of type 1 diabetes in 32 European countries. To do that, we analyzed a complete of 75 studies. Which includes 219,331 people aged 0 to 14 years.
We found that the incidence of type 1 diabetes had increased significantly: from 11 cases per 100,000 personal year Between 1994 and 2003, about 21 cases per 100,000 people between 2013 and 2021.
Differences between countries
In addition, we identified significant differences between European regions. While there may be a transparent upward trend in most European countries – particularly in northern Europe, reminiscent of Finland, Sweden and Norway – the numbers appear to have stabilized in some countries, including the UK and Spain.
Between 2013 and 2021, probably the most recent period studied, the bottom incidence rates were in Romania and Turkey (11 and 12 cases per 100 000 person-years, respectively) and the best in Finland and Ireland (56 and 33 cases).
In Spain, the number has grown exponentially. In the period 1994 to 2003, there have been 16 cases per 100 000 person-years, increasing only barely to 17.5 between 2013 and 2022.
Across Europe, boys showed barely higher figures than girls. We also observed that the incidence rate increased with age, particularly within the 10–14 age group.
What is behind these growing numbers?
The origin of type 1 diabetes remains to be unknown, although some lines of research suggest that There is a genetic tendency. Other triggers have also been suggested, including Autoimmune processes, virusesand lifestyle or Environmental factors reminiscent of food.
We have also observed. That higher per capita income or living in a more northern country, reminiscent of Finland, Sweden or Norway, may affect the incidence of type 1 diabetes.
There are several possible explanations for this, including the proven fact that northern countries receive less ultraviolet radiation (ie, sunlight). Several studies have found that exposure to ultraviolet rays can protect against diabetes, because it appears to scale back the body's immune response.
The effect of epidemics
Another noteworthy point is the worldwide increase in recent cases of type 1 diabetes in children because the Covid-19 pandemic.
This might be the results of infections affecting the immune system of individuals prone to the disease, or since the health system is less capable of detect and control the issue early.
Currently, more work is required on health policies that promote healthy lifestyles, and that control the environmental risk aspects that underlie the immunological problems related to this major public health challenge. are