Influence of the stage of emergency declaration due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak on plasma glucose control of patients with diabetes mellitus in the Saku region of Japan

Abstract

Objective: Because patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) were forced to stay indoors during the state of emergency, resulting in stress and a lack of physical activity, concerns about their glycemic control were raised. Patients and Methods: The 165 patients’ glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were compared during the following periods: the 4 months that were selected as a representative condition 1 year before the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2018, March 2019, June 2019, and July 2019) and the latter 3 months as a 1-year follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2019, March 2020, June 2020, and July 2020). Results: The patients’ HbA1c levels were 7.32 ± 1.23, 7.44 ± 1.20, 7.16 ± 1.06, 7.01 ± 1.05, 7.23 ± 1.06, 7.45 ± 1.18, 7.15 ± 10.7, and 7.11 ± 1.17 in May 2018, March 2019, June 2019, July 2019, May 2019, March 2020, June 2020, and July 2020, respectively (expressed as mean ± standard deviation). Conclusion: The analysis showed that HbA1c levels did not worsen during the self-restraint period.

Living and working environments are important determinants of glycemic control in patients with diabetes during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A retrospective observational study

“…Therefore, it is important to identify diabetic patients whose HbA1c levels are increased during the pandemic. The change in HbA1c levels during the COVID‐19 pandemic in patients with diabetes reported from Japan is controversial 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ; some reports show an increase in HbA1c 24 , 25 , 26 , while others show a decrease 23 , 27 , 28 . The differences in these results may be due to regional differences in COVID‐19 prevalence and socioeconomic status, as well as differences in the definition of HbA1c change in each study.…”

Substitution of telemedicine for clinic visit during the COVID‐19 pandemic of 2020: Comparison of telemedicine and clinic visit

“…There are some retrospective cohort studies that reported glucose control during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020, and comparing that with a similar timeframe of 2019, but their results were inconclusive 1 , 6 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 . Some studies reported that glucose control was better during the pandemic in 2020 17 , whereas other studies reported that it deteriorated 1 , 6 , 12 , 14 or did not change 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 compared with 2019. Most of these did not adjust for essential confounding factors 1 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 18 or lacked adjustment for BMI 6 , 14 .…”

“…There are reports comparing diabetes care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 with 2019 from other countries 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and from Japan 1 , 6 , 18 . Some report that diabetes control was unchanged 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , whereas others report diabetes control deteriorated 1 , 6 , 12 , 14 or improved 17 .…”

“…There are reports comparing diabetes care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 with 2019 from other countries 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and from Japan 1 , 6 , 18 . Some report that diabetes control was unchanged 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , whereas others report diabetes control deteriorated 1 , 6 , 12 , 14 or improved 17 . However, the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on diabetes control might be different depending on the local pandemic state and medical systems of each country.…”

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on unmet social needs, self-care, and outcomes among people with diabetes and poor glycemic control

“…In South Korea, Park et al found elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels [11]. In a J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 6 region in Japan, no changes in HbA1c were observed comparing cohorts of people with diabetes before and during the pandemic [12]. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social needs affecting diabetes, diabetes self-care, and outcomes in the U.S. have yet to be fully described.…”