Change in Prevalence and Distribution of Diabetes Mellitus Type I and Type II over Time in the Netherlands

As the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) type II (T2DM) is related to age and obesity, population changes over time with respect to these factors may have changed the prevalence and distribution of T1DM and T2DM in the Netherlands. Based on our General Practitioner (GP) Database and the Out-patient Pharmacy Database we have quantified the trend in prevalence and distribution of T1DM and T2DM in the Netherlands. For all patients, diabetes treatment at a single date each year from 2005-2012 was assessed. For patients with a GP recorded diagnosis for T1DM or T2DM, distribution of T1DM/T2DM was stratified by treatment. This distribution of DM type by treatment was applied to the treatment of patients with no GP recorded DM type to assess the distribution of T1DM/T2DM. The results show that prevalence of DM increased and relatively more patients were diagnosed with T2DM. These changes can be explained by the ageing Dutch population, better survival, more obesity and early detection of T2DM.