Type 1 diabetes mellitus prevalence and care in children under 15 years old in Asturias

Introduction: Prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is increasing worldwide. Care provided appears to have an influence on the course of disease. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of T1DM and to collect data on the resources and care used in Asturias. Material and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study including patients born between 2000 and 2014 with diagnosis of T1DM at 31/12/2014. Patients were identified using two independent data sources. Information was collected from medical records. A descriptive data analysis was performed to provide frequency distributions and measures of position and dispersion. Results: 146 patients were identified, with a total prevalence of 1.25/1.000 children. Prevalence rates by age group were 0.21, 1.15, and 2.40 by 1000 in children aged 0-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years respectively. Autoimmune thyroid disorders and celiac disease were found in 8.2% and 6.8% respectively, while 14.4% had a family history of T1DM and 29.4% of T2DM. Ninety-two children were treated by pediatricians and 34 by endocrinologists. All children were receiving multiple dose insulin treatment and none of them used self-monitoring blood glucose systems. Health education was provided to 37.7% of children. Conclusions: This study reports the first data on T1DM prevalence in children under 15 years old in Asturias and provides care data that show the disparity in care received depending on healthcare area. (C) 2018 SEEN y SED. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.