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

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A338-A338
Author(s):  
Jamie Calma ◽  
Sabrina Sangha ◽  
Marina Basina

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.

Author(s):  
Maria Cusinato ◽  
Mariangela Martino ◽  
Alex Sartori ◽  
Claudia Gabrielli ◽  
Laura Tassara ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Our study aims to assess the impact of lockdown during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on glycemic control and psychological well-being in youths with type 1 diabetes. Methods We compared glycemic metrics during lockdown with the same period of 2019. The psychological impact was evaluated with the Test of Anxiety and Depression. Results We analyzed metrics of 117 adolescents (87% on Multiple Daily Injections and 100% were flash glucose monitoring/continuous glucose monitoring users). During the lockdown, we observed an increase of the percentage of time in range (TIR) (p<0.001), with a significant reduction of time in moderate (p=0.002), and severe hypoglycemia (p=0.001), as well as the percentage of time in hyperglycemia (p<0.001). Glucose variability did not differ (p=0.863). The glucose management indicator was lower (p=0.001). 7% of youths reached the threshold-score (≥115) for anxiety and 16% for depression. A higher score was associated with lower TIR [p=0.028, p=0.012]. Conclusions Glycemic control improved during the first lockdown period with respect to the previous year. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were associated with worse glycemic control; future researches are necessary to establish if this improvement is transient and if psychological difficulties will increase during the prolonged pandemic situation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110123
Author(s):  
Chiara Roversi ◽  
Martina Vettoretti ◽  
Simone Del Favero ◽  
Andrea Facchinetti ◽  
Pratik Choudhary ◽  
...  

Background: In the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), systematic and random errors in carb-counting can have an adverse effect on glycemic control. In this study, we performed an in silico trial aiming at quantifying the impact of different levels of carb-counting error on glycemic control. Methods: The T1D patient decision simulator was used to simulate 7-day glycemic profiles of 100 adults using open-loop therapy. The simulation was repeated for different values of systematic and random carb-counting errors, generated with Gaussian distribution varying the error mean from -10% to +10% and standard deviation (SD) from 0% to 50%. The effect of the error was evaluated by computing the difference of time inside (∆TIR), above (∆TAR) and below (∆TBR) the target glycemic range (70-180mg/dl) compared to the reference case, that is, absence of error. Finally, 3 linear regression models were developed to mathematically describe how error mean and SD variations result in ∆TIR, ∆TAR, and ∆TBR changes. Results: Random errors globally deteriorate the glycemic control; systematic underestimations lead to, on average, up to 5.2% more TAR than the reference case, while systematic overestimation results in up to 0.8% more TBR. The different time in range metrics were linearly related with error mean and SD ( R2>0.95), with slopes of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for ∆TIR, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for ∆TAR, and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for ∆TBR. Conclusions: The quantification of carb-counting error impact performed in this work may be useful understanding causes of glycemic variability and the impact of possible therapy adjustments or behavior changes in different glucose metrics.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74
Author(s):  
Arwen M. Marker ◽  
Amy E. Noser ◽  
Nicole Knecht ◽  
Mark A. Clements ◽  
Susana R. Patton

Background: Greater knowledge about nutrition and carbohydrate counting are associated with improved glycemic control and quality of life in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, limited assessments of nutrition and carbohydrate knowledge have been developed, and existing measures can be time-consuming, overly broad, or not conducive to routine clinical use. To fill this gap, we developed and examined the feasibility of administering the electronic Nutrition and Carbohydrate Counting Quiz (eNCQ). Method: Ninety-two caregivers and 70 youth with T1D (mean age 12.5 years; mean time since diagnosis 5 years; English speaking) completed the 19-item eNCQ via tablet during a routine clinical visit. Completion time and item completion rates were used to assess feasibility. Relationships between eNCQ scores and patient demographics, diabetes management, and health outcomes were examined. Results: Participants took 10 minutes, on average, to complete the eNCQ. Total and Carbohydrate subscale scores (youth report) were negatively correlated with youth hemoglobin A1c (total r = –.38, carbohydrate r = –.38, Ps < .05), indicating that greater nutrition knowledge related to better glycemic control. Nutrition knowledge scores were generally high, but knowledge was negatively related to time since diabetes diagnosis ( r = –.276, P < .05). Conclusions: Findings support feasibility of the eNCQ to assess nutrition knowledge in routine clinical care. Following additional acceptability and validity testing, the eNCQ may identify families in need of further nutrition education. Nutrition assessment is particularly indicated for youth over one year since T1D diagnosis, as these families displayed lower nutrition knowledge and may need continuing education to maintain diabetes-specific nutrition knowledge over time.


2020 ◽  
pp. 193229682097842
Author(s):  
William H. Polonsky ◽  
Addie L. Fortmann

Background: To examine caregivers’ experiences with real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) data sharing and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and health outcomes. Methods: Parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) ( N = 303) and spouses/partners of T1D adults ( N = 212) using the Dexcom G5 Mobile or G6 RT-CGM system and who were actively following their T1Ds’ RT-CGM data completed a survey examining their perceived value of data sharing, the impact of sharing on their own QoL and their child/partner’s health, and how they used RT-CGM data to support their T1Ds’ diabetes management. Regression analyses examined whether their actions were linked to reported changes in QoL and health outcomes. Results: Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic White (91.1% parents; 88.7% partners), female (78.2% parents; 54.7% partners), and college-educated (65.3% parents; 61.8% partners). The majority reported that data sharing had enhanced hypoglycemic confidence (97.7% parents; 98.1% partners), overall well-being (60.4% parents; 63.2% partners), and sleep quality (78.0% parents; 61.3% partners). Of note, three positive caregiver actions were broadly consistent and significant predictors of QoL and health benefits for both parents and partners: celebrating success related to glycemic control, providing encouragement when glycemic control is challenging, and teamwork discussions about how the caregiver should respond to out-of-range values. Conclusions: RT-CGM data sharing was associated with a range of QoL and health benefits for caregivers. Degree of benefits was influenced by the collaborative actions taken by caregivers to support their child’s or partner’s diabetes management. To determine the most effective strategies for collaborative data sharing, longitudinal trials are needed.


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