title: Epidemics of type 1 diabetes in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to search for the seasonal and geographic variations in epidemics of type 1 diabetes in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Incidence data from 22 type 1 diabetes registration centers across China were analyzed. A Poisson regression model with a sine wave function was applied to evaluate the seasonal trends. A scan statistic was used to examine the occurrence of an epidemic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant cyclic trend of incidence of type 1 diabetes in China. The northern area had a higher incidence rate than the southern area. Epidemics were discovered in Dalian and Shenyang from late 1992 to late 1993.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a strong association of climate and incidence of type 1 diabetes in China, whereby the incidence was higher in the colder areas and in the winter months. Evidence of epidemics existed in two centers in 1992--1993. It is critical to identify the epidemics early and determine the causes of epidemics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geriatrics, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiurong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Janice S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dorman
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.forename: Yue-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons