Causes of type 1 diabetes
Researchers are currently exploring several routes to try and determine the causes of type 1 while several myths prevail about the origin of this form of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes facts and figures
The incidence of type 1 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. View the latest figures and links to national public information resources below.
Quick facts about type 1 diabetes
- Approximately 400,000 people are currently living with type 1 diabetes in the UK, with over 29,000 of them children
- Incidence is increasing by about four per cent each year, particularly in children under five, with a five percent increase each year in this age group over the last 20 years
- Type 1 diabetes affects 96 per cent of all children with diabetes in England and Wales
- Around 85 per cent of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history of the condition
- Although it used to be referred to as ‘juvenile diabetes’, around half of newly diagnosed cases are in people over the age of 18
- The UK has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world, for reasons that are currently unknown
- A person with type 1 diabetes will have around 65,000 injections and measure their blood glucose over 80,000 times in their lifetime
Public information resources
National Diabetes Audit – One of the largest annual clinical audits in the world. It measures the effectiveness of diabetes care against National Institute of Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines and quality standards.
Quality and Outcomes Framework – This is the annual programme that details GP practice achievement results and rewards practices for the achievement of quality care. The QOF awards practices achievement points for managing some of the most common chronic diseases, diabetes being one.
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