Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share by Email
Print
National lockdowns imposed by stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were associated with improved glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes, shows a French study published in Diabetes Care.
This observational study was based on responses to a self-reported questionnaire administered through a French web application. A total of 1,378 people with T1D responded to the interactive questionnaire 38 days after the start of the lockdown in France. Collected data included information about lifestyle and treatment before and during lockdown as well as information on glucose control from the flash glucose monitoring (FGM) devices. The primary outcome was the difference in glycemic control 2 months before and 1 month after lockdown.
Mean glucose levels improved from 9.1±1.7 mmol/L before lockdown to 8.7±1.7 mmol/L during lockdown (P <.001). In these patients, factors associated with improved glycemic control over the lockdown period included a reduction in alcohol intake (odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.04– 2.94), increase in the flash glucose monitoring scan frequency (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.04–2.10), increase in the number of hypoglycemia events (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.13–2.46]), and an improved perception of diabetes control (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18–2.49).
Limitations of the study included the self-reported nature of the questionnaire data and the relatively small number of participants in the questionnaire study.
The researchers concluded “that while the lockdown was a source of anxiety for many people with” T1D, it appears to have been helpful for providing these patients “an opportunity to make positive behavioral changes” in their care. They added that the persistence of these behavioral changes and their associated benefits “after easing of lockdown should be studied.”
Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.
Reference
Potier L, Hansel B, Larger E, et al. Stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, an opportunity to improve glucose control through behavioral changes in type 1 diabetes. Published online December 23, 2020. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc20-2019
This article originally appeared on Endocrinology Advisor
