Male predominance of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in young adults: results from a 5-year prospective nationwide study of the 15-34-year age group in Sweden.
The incidence of diabetes mellitus in Sweden in the 15-34 year age group was prospectively studied on a nationwide basis, beginning 1 January 1983. A total of 1,214 male and 720 female cases of newly-diagnosed (excluding gestational) diabetes were reported over a 5-year period. This corresponds to an incidence of 20.5 per 100,000/year in male subjects and 12.7 per 100,000/year in female subjects. Most cases were classified as Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, with an incidence of 15.9 in males and 8.6 in females. The incidence of Type 1 diabetes decreased gradually with age, while the incidence of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes increased. A male predominance was found in all age groups, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1 for Type 1 diabetes and 1.3:1 for Type 2 diabetes. Maximum blood glucose concentration at diagnosis was significantly higher in males than in females in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic subjects. In contrast, the percent desirable weight was significantly higher in females, both in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic subjects. The difference in diabetes incidence therefore cannot be attributed to any methodological error. The present finding of a marked male predominance after puberty in Type 1 diabetes in an ethnically quite homogeneous population supports the hypothesis that environmental risk factors and life-style are important for the development of the disease.
Blohmé
G
G
Department of Medicine II, Sahlgren's Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Nyström
L
L
Arnqvist
H J
HJ
Lithner
F
F
Littorin
B
B
Olsson
P O
PO
Scherstén
B
B
Wibell
L
L
Ostman
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology