The Association between Pandemic Isolation and Glycemic Control and Biochemistry Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: COVID-19 lockdown caused many people with chronic diseases to delay their follow-up and worsen their metabolic parameters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic period on the glycemic control and biochemistry parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods: The data of 347 T2DM patients covering the period before and after the lockdown (March–June 2020) was retrospectively analyzed. HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), renal function tests and microalbuminuria measurements were compared. All statistical analyses and power analysis were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0. Results: Of 347 patients, 216 (62.2%) were female and the mean age was 58.82 ± 10.47 years. One hundred eighty five (53.3%) of the individuals have been using insulin and oral antidiabetic together and those treated with insulin alone were excluded at the data collection phase of the study. HbA1c, FPG, urea, creatinine, microalbumin in spot urine and alb/crea in spot urine increased in the pandemic period compared to pre-pandemic period, creatinine measurement decreased in spot urine (p < 0.05) except the ketone in urine between the two periods. HbA1c (r = 0.728, p < 0.01), creatinine (r = 0.8458, p < 0.01), microalbumin in spot urine (r = 0.773, p < 0.01) and spot urine alb/crea (r = 0.796, p < 0.01) measurements were highly, positive and statistically significant. Conclusions: As in all chronic diseases, T2DM patients should be followed up regularly in order to prevent morbidities in extraordinary situations such as pandemics