Nationwide Trends in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in France (2010-2019): A Population-Based Study Using a Machine Learning Classification Algorithm.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes represents an increasing public health challenge in France, yet national data distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes and insulin use remain limited. This study aimed to describe trends in the epidemiology, care pathways and health outcomes of adult individuals living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in France from 2010 to 2019. It focused on individuals treated or not with insulin and applied a predictive classification algorithm to accurately distinguish between diabetes types using real-world data.

METHODS

A 10-year retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted from a representative one-tenth sample of the French national healthcare database (i.e. SNDS, Système National des données de Santé), covering nearly the entire French population. Adults (≥ 18 years) affiliated with the general insurance scheme were included. A machine learning algorithm, trained on clinical data from general practitioners, was applied to classify diabetes type. Annual trends in prevalence, incidence, comorbidities, treatments, outpatient care, complications and mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

Among an extrapolated 5.5 million individuals with diabetes in 2019, 3.5% had type 1 diabetes and 96.5% had type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increased from 6.2% in 2010 to 8.0% in 2019, while type 1 diabetes remained stable. Comorbidity rates were high and increasing in insulin-treated individuals with type 2 diabetes. In 2019, 15.3% of insulin-treated individuals with type 2 diabetes had at least one complication-related hospitalisation. Specialist consultations were underused, especially in type 2 diabetes. The mortality rate in individuals with type 1 diabetes declined from 2.6% to 1.5%, with an increase in mean age at death.

CONCLUSION

This national study provides updated insights into diabetes in France and highlights the need to improve access to specialised care and reinforce long-term surveillance strategies.