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Data from a statewide insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) registry in Rhode Island show that IDDM affects young adults (20-29 yr) as frequently as adolescents and teenagers (10-19 yr). Overall incidence less than 30 yr was 14/100, 000 population. Peak incidence occurred at 10-14 yr (19/100, 000 population). Poor diabetic control and infection accounted for 46-62% of hospitalizations among 275 known diabetic persons. Despite a 10-yr mean duration of diabetes, only 31% of hospitalized diabetic persons less than 30 yr of age reported ever having received outpatient diabetes education of two or more hours. Readmissions 1 yr after initial registration were more frequent for known (43%) than new-onset (18%) IDDM cases. Increased risk of readmission for both groups was associated with a poverty socioeconomic status. Total direct hospitalization costs for IDDM in persons under 30 yr of age in Rhode Island was 530, 000 per year of 2, 245 per patient.
Fishbein et al. (Mon,) studied this question.