Article Sidebar
Keywords:
Article Details
Material submitted for publication in the Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (JEMDSA) is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. JEMDSA reserves copyright of the material published. Neither JEMDSA nor the Publisher may be held responsible for statements made by the authors.
Main Article Content
The epidemiology and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Africa
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is a serious, debilitating disease, with life-threatening complications, and the financial burden associated with the management of this disease is enormous. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, in Africa, type 1 diabetes is poorly characterised, and there is sparse information regarding the aetiology and epidemiology of this disease. However, there is some evidence of a later age of onset in African type 1 diabetic patients, compared to European diabetics, and it is thought that the prevalence of type 1 diabetes is lower in African populations than in the Western world.
Keywords: type 1 diabetes, Africa, epidemiology, autoimmunity, susceptibility
