WHO DIAMOND PROJECT

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is one of the most important chronic diseases of children worldwide. A 60-fold international gradient in IDDM incidence has been reported and epidemic periods have been identified. The World Health Organization (WHO) Multinational Project for Childhood Diabetes (WHO DIAMOND Project) has been developed to investigate and characterize global incidence, mortality and health care. Over 10 years (1990-1999), this study will collect population-based data concerning IDDM in more than 100 centers in 60 countries worldwide.

The goals of the DIAMOND Project are to:

collect standard information on incidence, risk factors, complications and mortality associated with IDDM;

evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of health care and the economics of diabetes;

establish national and international training programs in diabetes epidemiology.

It is hoped that the DIAMOND Project will be instrumental for the prevention of this serious disease and its sequelae.

Coordinating Centers

Internet:

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Components

Incidence Substudy

At present 167 centers from 69 countries are participating in the DIAMOND Incidence component. Data is now available from more than half of the centers. The highest incidence in the world is in Northern Euroe, but within the continent there are striking exceptions as in Iceland the incidence is only half of that in Norway and Sweden and one-third of that in Finland. By contrast, in Sardinia, in Southern Europe, the incidence is almost as high as in Finland, three times higher than the overall incidence in Europe. The lowest incidence is seen in Japan, Korea and Mexico.

Genetic Substudies

Case-Control

Molecular epidemiology studies are being carried out to assess the contribution of HLA alleles to the incidence of IDDM within and between populations. Data from case-control studies are available from 18 populations, including high, medium and low risk areas and various racial groups.

Family Studies

Complications Substudy (DIACOMP)

Mortality Substudy

Economic Substudy

Training

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Circulars

Circular 14 - July 1996

Circular 13 - February 1995

Circular 12 - August 1994

Circular 11 - July 1993

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This homepage was created by Dr. Ingrid M. Libman. Special thanks to Dr. Deborah Aaron for her help with the graphics.