Aim of this study was to examine secular trends in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children aged 0-14 years in Hungary over the period 1989-2009.
Methods: Newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes aged 0-14 years in Hungary were prospectively registered from 1989 to 2009. Standardized incidence rates were calculated and secular trends were estimated using Poisson regression analysis.
Results: Between 1989 and 2009 a total number of 3432 children were identified, giving a standardized incidence rate of 12.5 (95%CI 12.1-12.9) per 100 000 person/year. The overall incidence rate has doubled from 7.7 (95%CI 6.4-9.15) per 100 000 per year in 1989 to 18.2 (95%CI 15.7-20.9) per 100 000 per year in 2009. A significant linear trend in incidence (p<0.001) has been observed over time, with a mean annual increase of 4.4%. The increase in incidence was present in both genders and in all age groups, with the largest relative increase in the youngest age group (6.2%; p<0.001).
Conclusion: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Hungarian children continues to increase, with the highest rate in the very young.