The Spread

Studies conducted in India reveal that influence of the socioeconomic status on the age at onset of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients who developed diabetes 20 years or less. The peak occurence was seen at 11 years in girls. The boys showed multiple peaks between 11 and 18 years. In the urban patients the peak was at 11 years in contrast to a delayed peak at 18 years in the rural group.

When analysed with respect to the family income, the income group of Rs.2000 per month or more showed a sharp peak at 11 years whereas the lower income group showed a peak at 18 years. The median body weight of the low income group was lower compared to the higher income group.

Although the exact cause for the delayed age at onset of IDDM in the rural or low income group is not known, it is likely to be a consequence of the lower socioeconomic and nutritional status and probably indicates the influence of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Ref: Delayed onset of diabetes in children of low economic stratum - a study from Southern India - Ramachandran et.al.