COVID-19-Related Trends and Characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome

Background Although there have been several studies associating obesity with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, the potential impact of the pandemic on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence is less clear. Furthermore, reports on the characteristics of these patients during the pandemic have been scarce. Objectives The purpose of this retrospective study was 1) to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on T2DM and MetS incidence, and 2) to describe sex-based differences in the characteristics of T2DM and MetS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Using electronic health records (EHRs) obtained from the USA-based TriNetX research database (TriNetX, Cambridge, MA), the incidence and the total number of patients with “T2DM (ICD-10-CM: E11)” and “MetS (ICD-10-CM: E88.81)” prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic were determined. Aggregate lab data from EHRs were extracted and statistical analyses on the lab values and patient demographics including sex, race/ethnicity, and comorbidities were performed. Results After analyzing T2DM and MetS patient data from 2018, 2019, and 2020, we observed a considerable decrease in both T2DM and MetS incidence, with data in April 2020 exhibiting the largest decrease when compared to other months. Furthermore, monthly male T2DM and MetS patients’ lab data revealed worsening parameters in April 2020, such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and blood glucose, when compared to females. Demographic data during 2020 revealed that male T2DM and MetS patients had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure, but female T2DM and MetS patients had significantly higher asthma comorbidity. Conclusions During 2020, there was a marked decrease in T2DM and MetS diagnosis. Due to a lack of screening, these data may suggest a subsequent increase in T2DM and MetS-related heart disease in the future and may magnify the existing sex-related differences identified in these patients.