Study of 1.1 million children finds no link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and type 1 diabetes risk

In a recent study published in medrex sib* Using a preprint server, researchers determined whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children living in Denmark increases the risk of new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). I will investigate whether

Previous reports of potential associations between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the risk of new-onset T1D support the potential of viral organisms as pathogens of T1D. As COVID-19 prevalence remains high in many countries around the world, including Denmark, this correlation may add to the existing global health burden associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. there is.

study: No increased risk of type 1 diabetes in children after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide prospective study in DenmarkImage Credit: Africa Studios/Shutterstock.com

About research

In the current nationwide prospective study, researchers are assessing the association between COVID-19 and subsequent risk of new-onset T1D in Danish children.

Data from multiple national Danish health registries of individuals under the age of 18 who had at least one positive COVID-19 test result between 1 March 2020 and 25 August 2022. Analyzed.

Danish residents were identified by the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR). Additionally, COVID-19 test data were obtained from the national SARS-CoV-2 infection surveillance system, including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis reports.

Diagnosis of T1D and diabetic ketoacidosis was based on the International Classification of Diseases10.^th Revision (ICD-10) DE10 and DE101 codes are in the National Patient Registry (NPR) respectively. Additionally, the team linked registration data with her CPR number, which is unique to each Danish citizen.

Follow-up assessment will be between 30 days after the first SARS-CoV-2 test and the end of the study, or if the individual turns 18 years of age, dies, or leaves Denmark and is designated as missing in the Danish CPR registry. implemented until

The team excluded individuals who were enrolled as having T1D or diabetic ketoacidosis prior to study initiation. Data adjustments were made for comorbidities, COVID-19 vaccination status (unvaccinated, 1 dose, 2 doses, or higher), parental T1D history, and calendar. years.

A secondary analysis was also performed to assess the association between children’s COVID-19-related hospitalizations during the study period and subsequent T1D diagnosis.

Survey results

A total of 613 individuals had new-onset T1D diagnoses in 1,593,937 person-years versus 1,115,716 individuals under 18 years of age. In addition, the incidence of T1D was 39 cases per 100,000 person-years.

During the follow-up evaluation of 720,648 children infected with SARS-CoV-2, 144 of 613 cases were detected in 419,260 years.

No increased risk of new-onset T1D was found in the pediatric population more than 30 days after reporting positive COVID-19 compared to uninfected children (HR 0.9). These findings were similar across sex, age, comorbidities, vaccination status, parental history of her T1D, and calendar months of her T1D diagnosis.

Between 30 days and 6 months after testing positive for COVID-19, compared with uninfected persons or SARS-CoV, HR values ​​were 0.9 (102.0 events , 0.8 (42.0 events)). The HR values ​​for concurrent diagnosis of negative COVID-19 and T1D, and COVID-19 with diabetic ketoacidosis in those aged <2-18 years were 0.6 (17.0 events) and 0.9 (127.0 events), respectively. .

Subgroup analyzes by dividing the period of prevalence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants showed no statistically significant differences in HR estimates. A secondary analysis identified 936 individuals diagnosed with T1D over 2,817,858 years. However, the team observed no T1D cases more than 30 days (939.0 person-years) after the first COVID-19-related hospitalization.

Conclusion

Overall, the study results show that COVID-19 does not predispose children to T1D. Therefore, T1D need not be an area of ​​concern for children infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the findings contrasted with those conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and Norway.

CDC’s analysis is based on Health Verity, and IQVIA claims the US database. That study may have misclassified his prevalent T1D cases as incidents, thus overestimating the incidence. Similarly, US research is based on TriNetX LLC claims database.

Identifying exposed individuals from health claims databases and analyzing individuals exposed to health disorders other than COVID-19 as a comparison or reference group can complicate estimation of relevant study populations and impede generalization of study results. may be restricted.

Studies conducted in Norway and Scotland, like the current study, were based on national health registers. However, the distribution of confounders may differ between study populations, resulting in different risk estimates.In addition, data on his T1D etiology other than genetic factors are limited and require further investigation. is.

*Important Notices

medrex sib We publish a non-peer-reviewed, preliminary scientific report and should not be taken as conclusive, to guide clinical practice/health-related actions, or to be treated as established information.