Trend in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) among Qatari and Arab gulf children and adolescents over the past 20 years

During the last decades, the world has seen a dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, with special regard to the developed countries. More than 96,000 children and adolescents under 15 years are estimated to be diagnosed with T1DM annually and when the age range covers up to 20 years, the number is estimated to be more than 132,600 (1). The incidence of T1DM varies greatly between different countries, within countries, and between different ethnic populations, with the highest incidence rates observed in Finland, Northern Europe, and Canada (2).