National incidence study of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence in Ireland

Abstract

Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is an important chronic medical condition that is associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality. The disease is considered so important that its incidence is deemed a basic health indicator by the World Health Organisation. Studies have shown that optimising medical care for those with diabetes reduces the occurrence of long term disease complications, such as: blindness; kidney failure; and ischaemic heart disease. A prerequisite for maximising medical care for those with diabetes is that information regarding the incidence and characteristics of the disease is available to heath policy makers.