Epidemics of type 1 diabetes in China.
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.
Yang
Ze
Z
Institute of Geriatrics, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China.
Long
Xiurong
X
Shen
Jing
J
Liu
Dan
D
Dorman
Janice S
JS
Laporte
Ronald E
RE
Chang
Yue-Fang
YF
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