Covid Lockdown Impact on Type 1 Diabetes Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Introduction: Data on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control and psychological well-being in individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) showed mixed results. Some studies showed improvement in glycemic control attributed to more time for self-care and a more regular lifestyle schedule during the lockdown. However, most published data reflects a short duration of 3–5 months. The impact of long-term social isolation and transition to telemedicine on the health of T1DM patients remains unknown. Our study analyzes patient perception surrounding the impact of an 11-month lockdown on glycemic control, well-being, and self-reported depression symptoms. Methods: PHQ-9 was integrated into a 55-question survey created using RedCap, a secure portal for managing surveys. The survey was sent to 160 T1DM patients over the age of 18 to gauge their current diabetes management and overall well-being prior to, and during the pandemic. The survey also inquired about patients’ perceived effectiveness of telemedicine visits. PHQ9 scores were collected and analyzed along with survey responses. Results: Data collection is still ongoing. From the 47 responders, the PHQ9 screening showed 51% were in the minimal depression score, 34% in the range of mild depression, 11% in moderate depression, and 4% scored in moderate to severe depression. No patients scored within severe depression. In a regular week during the pandemic, 40% of patients experienced difficulty with their motivation and diabetes management and 60% reported no concern, as compared to 36% and 64% respectively before the pandemic. Among the 47 of patient respondents, 30 reported both A1c levels prior and during the pandemic of which 46% showed an improved A1c amid the pandemic, 10% had no change, and 44% reported a worsened A1c level. For the telehealth part of the survey, 90% of patients reported feeling “comfortable with the level of care” they receive via telemedicine, whereas the other 10% were not. Whilst 54% of patients preferred in-person visits and 46% indicated a preference for telehealth visits. Conclusion: T1DM management is challenging. The pandemic adds to the complexity and burden to both self-management and healthcare delivery. Staying locked down for a prolonged period of time imposes economical, psychological, and medical constraints to diabetes care, as nearly half of the patients reported worsening of glycemic control. Our comprehensive survey reports the longest duration reported up to date of how the COVID-19 lockdown impacts patient’s perceived changes in their mental health and diabetes management. It helps clinicians understand the connection between mental and physical health during the pandemic and improve time-restricted telehealth visits by understanding patient concerns. Additional larger scale studies are imperative to expand the knowledge in this field.