Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus: information and standardized questions regarding follow-up during lockdown

Aim. To examine the impact of the lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic on
both the glycemic control and the daily habits of a group of patients with
type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using flash continuous glucose monitoring
devices (Flash CGM).  Methods. Retrospective analysis based on
all the information gathered in virtual consultations from a cohort of 50
adult patients with T1DM with follow-up at our site. We compared their CGM
metrics during lockdown with their own previous data before the pandemic
occurred, as well as the potential psychological and therapeutic changes.
Results. We observed a reduction of the average glucose: 160.26 ± 22.55
mg/dl vs. 150 ± 20.96 mg/dl, p=0.0009, estimated HbA1c: 7.21 ± 0.78% vs.
6.83 ± 0.71%, p=000.5, glucose management indicator (GMI) 7.15 ± 0.57 %
vs. 6.88 ± 0.49 %, p=0.0003, and glycemic variability (CV): 40.74 ± 6.66
vs. 36.43 ± 6.09 p<0.0001. Time in range showed an improvement:
57.46 ± 11.85% vs a 65.76 ± 12.09%, p<0.0001, without an increase
in percentage of time in hypoglycaemia. Conclusions: COVID-19 lockdown was
associated with an improvement in glycemic control in patients with T1DM
using CGM.