Sustained Improvement in Glycemic Control in Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes 2 Years After the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, has found that emerging adults with type 1 diabetes experienced an unexpected improvement in glucose metrics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to initial concerns, the study revealed that the public health response to the pandemic led to a slight improvement in glycemic control, particularly in the use of wearable diabetes devices. This is a significant finding, as emerging adulthood is often a vulnerable time for individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 130 emerging adults with type 1 diabetes, with 80 male and 50 female participants, and found that their baseline pre-pandemic HbA1c values were available for 120 individuals.
  • The study spanned a period of approximately 2 years from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with follow-up data collected over 24.9 ± 5.4 months before and after the start of the pandemic.
  • The HbA1c levels of the participants fell from 8.5 ± 1.7% (69.3 ± 18.8 mmol/mol) to 8.1 ± 1.9% (65.2 ± 20.5 mmol/mol) (P < 0.01) during this period.
  • The study found that improved glycemic control coincided with increased utilization of wearable diabetes devices.
  • The study was funded by the RDV Foundation and was published in the journal Diabetes Therapy in 2022.

Statistics:

  • 130 emerging adults with type 1 diabetes were involved in the study.
  • 80 male and 50 female participants were part of the study.
  • The mean age of the participants was 21.0 ± 2.1 years.
  • 120 individuals had available baseline pre-pandemic HbA1c values.
  • HbA1c levels fell from 8.5 ± 1.7% (69.3 ± 18.8 mmol/mol) to 8.1 ± 1.9% (65.2 ± 20.5 mmol/mol) (P < 0.01) during the study period.
  • Wearable diabetes devices were used by participants during the follow-up period.

Sources:

  • Sustained Improvement In Glycemic Control In Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes 2 Years After the Start of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Diabetes Therapy, 2022.
  • St Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, 6-151 61 Queen St East, Toronto, On M5C 2T2, Canada.
  • NewsRx. Findings from St Michael's Hospital Update Understanding of COVID-19 (Sustained Improvement In Glycemic Control In Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes 2 Years After the Start of the Covid-19 Pandemic) (Sustained Improvement In Glycemic Control ...). Diabetes Week. January 2, 2023; p 214.