Diabetes Management and Problems Experienced by Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: A study was conducted to obtain information about problems in diabetes management experienced by patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were carried out with 43 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (25 women, 18 men) aged 18-34 years who volunteered to participate. Each interview lasted 30 to 35 minutes. The conventional content analysis of data was performed using Graneheim & Lundman method. Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.05±8.01 years, the mean HbA1c level was 9.57±2.57%, and the duration of diabetes was 8.70±5.22 years. The study revealed 7 problem areas related to the patients’ diabetes management during the COVID-19 pandemic: blood glucose control, dietary adherence, insulin dose adjustment, exercising, psychosocial problems, sleep problems, and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures. Conclusion: The study's results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus experienced difficulties in diabetes management and negatively impacted psychosocially.