Abstract
The government ordered various restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), thus, affecting the mental health status and lifestyle of people with diabetes. This study identifies COVID-19 effects on mental health problems and unhealthy behavioral changes among patients with diabetes. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were adults aged 19 years or older who participated in the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey. Stress, depression, and changes in unhealthy behavior in diabetic patients (N = 26,839) because of COVID-19 were compared with controls (N = 26,834). The association between stress and depression and unhealthy behaviors among patients with diabetes was investigated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 20.3% and 4.2% of diabetic patients reported higher levels of stress and depression, respectively, than controls. Diabetic patients showed decreased physical activity and sleep time, and increased smoking. Among diabetic patients, stress and depression are associated with unhealthy behavior changes during COVID-19. Measures to promote healthy lifestyles along with stress and depression management strategies must be implemented for the health care of diabetic patients during the pandemic.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reported in November 2019, has created a global public health emergency
Perceived stress and depression were reported in 20.3% and 4.2% of patients with diabetes, respectively
Diabetes was more likely to report perceived stress, depression, and increased smoking behavior than controls (Table 2)
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reported in November 2019, has created a global public health emergency. As of September 2021, the virus has infected over 267,000 people and caused over 2000 deaths in South Korea [1]. The South Korean government ordered social distancing, travel restrictions, and a ban on largescale events to prevent the spread of the infection—affecting the daily lifestyle of the public [2]. New literature on COVID-19 has been growing rapidly in recent years, little is known about the impact of the psychological burden on people with diabetes during the pandemic. Infectious diseases caused psychological distress in various countries due to prognostic uncertainty and social isolation to prevent infection [3].
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