Pattern, Trend and Predictors of Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Unlike what obtains in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, there remains a paucity of data on adult-onset type 1 diabetes in Nigeria. Hence, the current study aimed to determine the general characteristics of adult-onset type 1 diabetes among subjects (aged ≥18 years) presenting at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria. Methods: A 5-year (2014–2018) retrospective records review of subjects with type 1 diabetes was undertaken, using hospital medical records retrieved from the Department of Health Information Management of UUTH. Diagnosed adult cases of type 1 diabetes were meticulously identified and the relevant data at the point of initial diagnosis were acquired on a specially designed data acquisition template. Results: A total of 47,357 medical cases were identified of which 362 adults were diagnosed with type I diabetes (mean age 33.12 ± 4.40, range 20–51 years) and the females (n = 204; 56.4%) predominated among those diagnosed. The overall, male gender, and female gender prevalence was 7.4/1,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.89–7.98), 3.3/1,000 (95% CI: 2.52–4.08), and 4.3/1,000 (95% CI: 3.61–4.99), respectively. The females exhibited the highest trough, peak, annual, and overall prevalence during the study period. The female gender (OR: 2.334; 95% CI: 1.407–3.478; p = 0.010), age ≤30 years (OR: 1.976; 95% CI: 0.875–3.211; p < 0.001), urban-dwelling (OR: 3.243; 95% CI: 2.3407.780; <0.001), diabetes family history (OR: 1.365; 95% CI: 0.678–2.010; p = 0.033), and the rainy season (OR: 1.129; 95% CI: 0.401–1.910; p < 0.001) were independent predictors among the overall adult type 1 diabetics. On gender-segregated analyses, age ≤30 years, urban-dwelling, diabetes family history, and the rainy season remained independent predictors among the male and female adult type 1 diabetics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high burden of type 1 diabetes among adult residents of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria. The predictors of adult type 1 diabetes, identified in the present study, are valuable epidemiologic evidence for the design of type 1 diabetes-targeted preventive programs by various concerned stakeholders.