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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125(08): 563-570
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-109000
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Environmental Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Development

Antonela Boljat
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
,
Ivana Gunjača
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
,
Ivan Konstantinović
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
,
Nikolina Vidan
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
,
Vesna Boraska Perica
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
,
Marina Pehlić
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Split, Spinčićeva 1, Split, Croatia
,
Veselin Škrabić
3   Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Split, Spinčićeva 1, Split, Croatia
,
Tatijana Zemunik
1   Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split, Croatia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 25 July 2016
revised 03 April 2017

accepted 12 April 2017

Publication Date:
27 July 2017 (online)

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Correction: Environmental Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus DevelopmentExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes eFirst
DOI: 10.1055/a-0723-6799

Abstract

Background Although environmental factors induce development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in genetically susceptible individuals, many of those factors have been uncovered. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze associations of T1DM with a wide range of environmental factors.

Material and Methods A case-control study was conducted on 249 diabetic and 255 healthy individuals from the Dalmatian region of South Croatia. Data regarding risk factors during pregnancy and early life period of the child were evaluated.

Results History of antihypertensive intake (p=0.04) and frequency of stressful life events during pregnancy (p=0.01) were associated with higher risk of T1DM, while hypertension was associated with lower risk of T1DM (p=0.01). Maternal age<25 years at delivery was associated with a higher risk of T1DM (p=0.01).

Diabetic patients had a positive family history of T1DM or T2DM (p=0.002) more frequently than controls, while history of infectious diseases was inversely associated with the risk of T1DM (p=0.03). A higher risk of T1DM was significantly associated with earlier introduction of cow’s milk (p=0.001), higher number of meals consumed per day (p=0.02), higher frequency of carbohydrate (p=0.001) and meat (p=0.01) consumption and stressful life events during childhood (p=0.02) while earlier introduction of fruit was associated with a lower risk of T1DM (p=0.03)

Conclusion This case-control study confirmed associations of a large number of environmental factors with development of T1DM with emphasis on the association of mother’s antihypertensive intake during pregnancy, which extends our knowledge about environmental factors related with development of T1DM.

Key words

type 1 diabetes mellitus - environmental factors - children
 

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