Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Population data has shown an increased incidence in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) following pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Worldwide studies have shown an increase in the incidence of T1DM in 2020 and 2021. Both locally and regionally in Northern Ireland we noticed a similar increase and decided to investigate further.

Method: From March 2021 we tested newly diagnosed T1DM patients in Antrim Area Hospital for Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. If antibodies were not tested at diagnosis, we consulted their Electronic Care Record (ECR) for a positive Covid PCR test prior to diagnosis.

Results: In 2019, 40 patients were diagnosed with T1DM, 43 in 2020, 41 in 2021 and as of 14/09/22 there have been 23 diagnosed in 2022. In 2021, 30/41 patients had antibodies tested, and 6 were positive. No patients who did not have antibodies tested had a positive PCR result and 2 patients had positive PCR at diagnosis but negative antibodies (8/41 (19.5%) had evidence of Covid infection) To date in 2022, 23 patients have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 13/15 have tested positive for antibodies, 4 had a positive PCR test prior to diagnosis but were not tested for antibodies. There is evidence of Covid infection in 17/23 (74%) patients.

Discussion: Our 74% infection rate in patients with T1DM is much higher than the general population, which is 37.4% in the 0-14 years age group, based on positive PCR tests. However, the Office for National Statistics estimated that in March 2022; 82% of primary and 99.3% of secondary school age children in England had detectable Covid antibodies, therefore our figures may reflect true levels in the population as PCR testing can be influenced by health seeking behaviour as evidenced by the fact that only 4/19 (21%) with a positive antibody test had a positive PCR result.