The Greek contribution to diabetes research

Abstract

Interest in diabetes mellitus research has escalated in Greece during the last decade. This may be attributed to the realization that diabetes is becoming a major problem for the Greek population, the effect of the St Vincent Declaration in passing speci®c government legislation, and the founding of the National Hellenic Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes and its Complications. Research areas include epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, glucose metabolism, complications, prevention and treatment of the disease.

Incidence of childhood Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Crete

“…During that period the standardized annual incidence rate reported was 6.1 per 100 000 person-years-atrisk [11], which was lower than that reported by Bartsocas [5] in a 7-year survey in the greater Athens area, conducted around the same period [5]. A previous report on the epidemiology of childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes in Crete published data from the 12-year period 1990-2001.…”

“…Its incidence varies significantly among as well as within countries [2]. Incidence is considered as very low, low, intermediate, high or very high at rates of <1, 1-4.99, [5][6][7][8][9].99, 10-19.99 and ≥20 per 100 000 per year, respectively [3]. Greece is listed among the countries with high rates, with 10.4 new cases per 100 000 per year according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates for 2013 [4].…”

“…Greece is listed among the countries with high rates, with 10.4 new cases per 100 000 per year according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates for 2013 [4]. Α 7-year study, conducted from 1989 to 1995 in the greater Athens area, reported an average incidence rate of 9.7 per 100 000 person-years-at-risk [5].…”