Impact of Covid19 Lockdown on Glycemic Control

Evidence shows that people with poor glycemic control are at greater risk of mortality due to Covid19. It is important to achieve and maintain good glycemic control to prevent negative outcomes during this pandemic (1). To study the effect of lockdown on glucose control we conducted an observational, retrospective cohort study involving 98 patients followed at endocrine clinic at an inner city, community hospital in Brooklyn, NY in the period February to May 2020. Of the cohort, 60% were women, mean age was 54.1 + 15.3 years, 70% was Hispanic, 24% was African American with a predominance of type 2 diabetes (86%). Mean HbA1c of prelockdown and lockdown phase was 9.77 ± 2.26% and 9.49 ± 2.17 % respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001) both in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Mean BMI of prelockdown and lockdown phase was 30.5 ± 6.8% and 30.1 ± 6.05% respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.33). Despite no significant change in BMI, the factors responsible for improvement in HbA1c might be a result of refined eating patterns (increased consumption of homemade food), increased adherence to medication and time to cope with the daily challenges of diabetes management (1). Reference: Maddaloni E, Coraggio L, Pieralice S, Carlone A, Pozzilli P, Buzzetti R. Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Glucose Control: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data From People With Diabetes on Intensive Insulin Therapy. Diabetes Care Aug 2020, 43 (8) e86-e87; DOI: 10.2337/dc20-0954