Incidence of type I diabetes in people under 30 years of age in Barbados, West Indies, 1982-1991.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of type I diabetes among individuals < 30 years of age on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. The population is predominantly African in origin but exhibits a relatively westernized lifestyle.


METHODS
Cases occurring during the years 1982-1991 were drawn from records at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and from physicians treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. Patients using insulin and < 30 years of age at onset were included. Ascertainment was estimated at 94%.


RESULTS
The average annual incidence of type I diabetes among Barbadians was 4.1/100,000 when age-adjusted to the world's population. There were 59 incident cases during this 10-year interval. The risk for males was 4.4 and for females 4.0/100,000. Among those 0-14 years of age, the risk was 5.0/100,000. Mean age at onset (+/- SD) was 14.7 +/- 6.9 for males and 12.5 +/- 5.7 for females. Males showed marked seasonal variation in risk and a more than threefold increase in annual incidence during 1984-1985. In contrast, females exhibited a stable pattern of IDDM risk during the 10-year interval.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence rate in Barbados falls near the lower limits of rates reported for Caribbean populations. There was a marked seasonal effect among males, even though the climate varies little throughout the year. This observation, and the incidence peak during 1984-1985, provide support for the role of environmental factors in the etiology of IDDM.
Jordan
O W
OW
University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Lipton
R B
RB
Stupnicka
E
E
Cruickshank
J K
JK
Fraser
H S
HS
D000293:Adolescent; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000367:Age Factors; D001460:Barbados / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D001741:Black or African American