Indicators for the Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2016–2020: data update

Indicator 2.2 Incidence of type 1 diabetes

Overview

In 2018, around 2,800 people were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—11 cases per 100,000 population.

Trends

After adjusting for age, incidence rates remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 12 and 13 cases per 100,000 population, during 2000 to 2018 (Figure 2.2.1).

Age and sex

In 2018, the incidence rate was highest in those aged 10–14 (34 per 100,000 population), and the age-standardised rate was slightly higher in males than females overall (14 and 10 new cases per 100,000 population, respectively) (Figure 2.2.1).

Population groups

In 2018, the incidence rate was lower in Remote and very remote areas (9 cases per 100,000 population) compared with other areas (11–14 cases per 100,000). Incidence rates across socioeconomic areas varied, at 11–14 cases per 100,000 population (Figure 2.2.2).

State and territory

The incidence rate was highest in Queensland (12 cases per 100,000 population). Other states had rates ranging from 9 to 10 cases per 100,000 population (Figure 2.2.2).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

In 2018, 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—16 cases per 100,000 population. After adjusting for age, the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes was similar among Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians (both 12 cases per 100,000 population, respectively) (Figure 2.2.2).

About the data

Type 1 diabetes incidence data is sourced from the National (insulin-treated) Diabetes Register (NDR). The NDR is derived from two primary data sources: the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group. In 2002–2003, the classification of diabetes type changed from Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) to type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the NDSS database. All registrants that were registered as IDDM prior to this date were classified as type 1 diabetes, resulting in some people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes being misclassified as having type 1 diabetes. Some records may remain misclassified, despite efforts to correct them, which may inflate the incidence of type 1 diabetes prior to 2002–2003.

Rates in Remote and very remote areas might be influenced by the potentially lower capture on the NDR of people living in these areas (see the Methods and classifications section of the Incidence of insulin-treated diabetes in Australia web report).

Explore the data

2.2 Incidence of type 1 diabetes, by age at first insulin use 2000–2018 and by selected population group, 2018