Further evidence for the rising incidence of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Kuwait

Aims: To provide age-gender standardized incidence rate, temporal trend and seasonal variation of Type 1 diabetes in Kuwaiti children aged ≤ 14 years. Methods: Data were prospectively collected over a period of 6 years (1992-1997) according to the DiaMond Project protocol using the capture-recapture method of ascertainment. Results: Data ascertainment varied between 90% and 96%. The incidence rate of Type 1 diabetes was 20.1 per 100 000 children 0-14 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.0-22.1); age-standardized incidence rate 20.9 (95% CI 18.8-23.0). The incidence rate among boys, 21.1 per 100 000 (95% CI 18.1-24.1) was slightly higher than that among girls, 19.0 per 100 000 (95% CI 16.1-21.8). The age-standardized incidence rate was 21.9 (95% CI 18.9-24.8) in boys, and 19.9 (95% CI 17.1-22.8) in girls. Incidence rates increased with age in both sexes (boys Χ2 for linear trend = 13.5, P < 0.001; and for girls Χ2 = 27.8, P < 0.0001). There was a significant trend towards increase in overall incidence during the 6-year period (Χ2 = 6.210, P = 0.013), and in age group 5-9 (Χ2 = 10.8, P = 0.001). Seasonality was demonstrated overall, in boys and girls (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of Type 1 diabetes in Kuwait is high compared with the neighbouring Arab countries, and it appears to be increasing as in many European populations.