Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is undeniably a pandemic of the 21st century. Although type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) only represents 10% of all diabetes cases, it dominates the pediatric population. The number of T1DM cases is accelerating, and Poland is one of the countries with the fastest increase in incidence. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the epidemiological situation in T1DM in Podlaskie region, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 777 patients (369 girls and 408 boys) under 18. Incidence rates were calculated and standardized to an age-matched population (general population of Poland 2010). RESULTS: We showed an upward trend in the number of cases during the analyzed period (R2 = 0.6, p = 0.001). The average incidence rate grew during the study period from 19.22/100,000 in 2010 to 34.11/100,000 in 2022, a 1.77-fold increase over the study period. The youngest age group (0-4 years old) showed the most prominent, nearly 2.3-fold rise, from 9.86/100,000 in 2010 to 22.56/100,000 in 2022. We have also demonstrated the possible impact of the COVID pandemic - after a decrease in 2020 we observed an increase of the incidence rate in 2021 up to 38.05/100,000 and in 2022 to 34/100,000. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland, continues its upward trend. Various factors may influence this, but the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is worth considering.