Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to examine incidence and trends of Type 1
diabetes in children aged 0–14 years in Croatia from 1995 to 2003.
Methods: The incidence data were obtained from two sources. The incidence was calculated
as the number of newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes patients per 100,000 person-years for the
age group 0–14 years, and subgroups 0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 years. Standardized incidence was
calculated using the method of direct standardization to the world standard population for
the age group 0–14 years. The ascertainment was estimated with capture–recapture
method. Trends in the incidence of Type 1 diabetes for period from 1995 to 2003 in Croatia
were analyzed using Poisson regression model.
Results: The standardized incidence of Type 1 diabetes for the whole age group was 8.87 per
100,000 person-years (95% CI: 5.07–12.68), for girls 8.47 (95% CI: 7.54–9.41) and for boys 9.26
(95% CI: 8.30–10.21). During the studied period, the trend in incidence raised significantly for
the whole age group (x2 = 32.6, p < 0.001). The average annual increase in incidence was 9%
(95% CI: 5.8–12.2).
Conclusions/interpretation: This rate of incidence places Croatia in a group of countries with
moderate risk for development of Type 1 diabetes. The average annual increase in incidence
of 9% is markedly higher than in most European countries, and probably reflects lifestyle
changes upon economic recovery of the country.