Mortality and diabetes from a population based register in Yorkshire 1978–93. Issue 5 (1st May 1998)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warner, D P; McKinney, P A; Law, G R; Bodansky, H J
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 78:Issue 5(1998)
• Page Start: 435
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 1998-05-01
• Subjects: mortality -- diabetes mellitus; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.78.5.435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To investigate mortality of children diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to identify common factors before death. DESIGN: Follow up of a population based cohort of children diagnosed with IDDM to ascertain deaths. SETTING: Children were diagnosed in Yorkshire but followed up throughout the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: From the Yorkshire Children's Diabetes Register details of 1854 children aged 0–16 years (1978–93) were submitted to the NHS Central Register. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Notification and causes of death. RESULTS: 98.3% of cases were traced and 26 deaths identified. Follow up ranged from 1–18 years (median 9.3 years), providing 17 350 person-years of IDDM. Fifteen deaths (58%) were attributed to diabetes or its complications; 11 (42%) were unrelated and included one suicide. For mortality from all causes, the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of 247 (95% confidence interval (CI) 163 to 362) was significantly increased for those under 34 years. The largest number of deaths (n = 10) occurred in the 15–19 year age range, with an SMR of 442 (95% CI 209 to 802). Case note examination showed a clear tendency towards poor diabetic control, and worries over control were expressed before death by health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in treatment, IDDM still carries an increased mortality for young people, particularly in the "transition" age range.