Incidence of schizophrenia in a nationwide cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Context: Patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, very few studies have dealt with the association of type 1 diabetes and schizophrenia. Preliminary evidence points to a possible inverse association. Objective: To investigate the incidence of schizophre nia in a nationwide cohort of patients with type 1 dia betes born in 1950 through 1959 in Finland. Design: A cohort study of individuals born in 1950 through 1959 with a follow-up of 1969 through 1991. Setting: Finland. Patients: All individuals born in 1950 through 1959 with type I diabetes were identified through nationwide registers. The incidence of schizophrenia until 1992 among the total 1950-1959 cohort and in individuals with type I diabetes was calculated using information from 3 health care registers. Main Outcome Measure: incidence of schizophrenia. Results: The incidence of schizophrenia was 0.21 per 10 000 person-years in the group with type I diabetes and 0.56 per 10 000 person-years in the group without type I diabetes (P<.001). Conclusion: The incidence of schizophrenia is decreased in patients with type I diabetes.