Evidence for the increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children aged 0-14 years in the Republika Srpska, 2001-2016

Objective − The purpose of the study was to estimate the changes in the incidence trends of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children for the territory of the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) during the period from 2001 to 2016. Methods − A retrospective technique was used to register all newly diagnosed cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children aged 0 to 14 years during the 2001 – 2016 period. The determination was based on the capture-recapture method, and was estimated to be 99%. Results − The average incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus was estimated to be 11.0 cases per 100,000 during the 2001-2016 period. The annual increase in incidence was 14.2%. The highest incidence rates were recorded in 2015 (21.3 cases /100,000) and lowest in 2002 (4.7 cases /100,000). The largest incidence rate of 13.6% /100,000 was found in the oldest age group examined, from 10-14 years. Conclusion − The incidence rate of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children in the Republika Srpska was found to have a rising trend over the last 16 years. Considering the incidence rate of 11.0 cases /100,000, the Republika Srpska is in the group of regions with a medium risk for diagnoses of diabetes. Unfortunately, this trend seems to be even more pronounced in recent years.