Impact of virtual care on health-related quality of life in children with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder in children, and the prevalence of paediatric type 1 and type 2 diabetes continue to rise globally. Diabetes clinical care programs pivoted to virtual care with the COVID-19 pandemic-driven social distancing measures. Yet, the impact of virtual care on health-related quality of life in children living with diabetes remains unclear. This protocol reports on the methods that will be implemented to conduct a systematic review to assess the health-related quality of life and metabolic health impacts of virtual diabetes care.Methods and analysisWe will search MEDLINE, Embase, EMCare, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and the grey literature for eligible studies. We will screen title, abstract, and full-text papers for potential inclusion and assess the risk of bias and the overall confidence in the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A meta-analysis will be conducted if two studies report similar populations, study designs, methods, and outcomes.This systematic review will summarise the health-related quality of life outcomes for virtual diabetes care delivery models.Ethics and disseminationNo ethics approval is required for this systematic review protocol as it does not include patient data. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021235646.

Disruption of diabetes and hypertension care during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery approaches in the Latin America and Caribbean region: a scoping review protocol

“…Of 175 international systematic reviews identified in PubMed (date of search: 9 December 2022), 10 potentially relevant reviews described impact on glycaemic control,17–20 diabetic ketoacidosis21 and interventions to recover or sustain diabetes or hypertension care 22–26. Overall, improvements in glycaemic control were seen in high-income countries during the pandemic, likely reflecting a high motivation for diabetes self-management due to associations with COVID-19 outcomes, supportive care through teleconsultations, and easier meal-planning, improved sleep habits and reduced access to fast food when staying at home during movement restrictions 17 18.…”

“…Four systematic reviews reported on interventions to sustain diabetes or hypertension care during the COVID-19 pandemic internationally,22 23 25 26 and one review protocol was identified 24. Telehealth and home visits were mentioned as modalities to manage diabetic foot conditions 25.…”

“…Two reviews indicated self-monitoring of blood pressure as a suitable alternative approach to support hypertension management 22 26. Moreover, a systematic review protocol was identified of a study investigating the impact of telehealth on the quality of life among paediatric diabetes patients 24. None of the intervention reviews included studies from LAC 22 23 25 26…”

“…Four systematic reviews reported on interventions to sustain diabetes or hypertension care during the COVID-19 pandemic internationally, 22 23 25 26 and one review protocol was identified. 24 Telehealth and home visits were mentioned as modalities to manage diabetic foot conditions. 25 Therapies enabling longer durations between consecutive treatments and better triaging of high-risk patients were mentioned as strategies to mitigate healthcare disruptions in a study on diabetes-related retinal deterioration.…”

“… 22 26 Moreover, a systematic review protocol was identified of a study investigating the impact of telehealth on the quality of life among paediatric diabetes patients. 24 None of the intervention reviews included studies from LAC. 22 23 25 26 …”