A prospective study of insulin-dependent diabetic Nigerian Africans.

Newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetic Nigerian Africans were studied prospectively over a 6-year period and were analyzed for sex, age at diagnosis, and month of onset of symptoms. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) rarely occurred in patients younger than the age of 10. A female preponderance occurred in those aged 20 and younger, and a male preponderance occurred in those aged 20 and older. The onset of symptoms occurred predominantly in the dry months of the year (October to March), peaking in February. The educational level and current employment status of the patients were compared with age- and sex-matched controls. The diabetics were found to have significantly less education, and approximately one third (34.9%) were unemployed compared with 10% of the controls. Control of the disease was found to be poor in three fourths of the patients. Various factors that prevent young diabetics in developing countries from living a full life are discussed.