THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY was to provide current and reliable information about trends in the incidence rates of Type 1 Diabetes in the Upper Silesia region in children aged 0-15 years in the period of 9 years.
Results: Incidence ratio in the examined population increased from 4.71 in 1989 up to 10.16/100,000/year in 1997. In the analysed group no significant statistical differences dependent on sex were found. During the examined period, the incidence ratio has increased significantly. It was observed that the extent of change varied in different age groups. The youngest children (0-4 years old) showed the greatest increase of the incidence ratio from 1.09/10(5) in 1989 up to 6.75/10(5) in 1997. The highest incidence ratio was observed in the group of 10-14 year-olds.
Conclusions: In the examined period dramatic increase (more than 200%) of the incidence ratio of type 1 diabetes was reported in the children's population (0-14 year-olds) in Upper Silesia. The fastest increase in this ratio was established in the group of youngest children (0-4 years old).