New Australian research has provided insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of people with type 2 diabetes.
The most worrying results, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine by researchers at Baker Heart and the Diabetes Institute, show fewer people are getting access to routine medical care.
Of the nearly 500 people with type 2 diabetes who took part in the survey, two in five said they would cancel necessary medical appointments and avoid new ones.
The results on engagement in healthcare showed:
- 43% who canceled an existing appointment with a resident doctor (e.g. family doctor or related health care professional).
- 61% for whom an existing day ward / hospital appointment was canceled.
- 39% of those who thought a new doctor’s appointment was necessary avoided this appointment.
- 32% of those who found a hospital emergency room necessary avoided it.
Evidence accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic suggests that people with diabetes who contracted COVID-19 are more likely to have severe symptoms from the virus and are also more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-related complications.
Professor Jonathan Shaw, director of the Institute’s Diabetes Complications Research Program, is also an endocrinologist and works at one of the largest diabetes clinics in the country. He and his team, including researcher Dr. Julian Sacre, were in a unique position to assess the impact of the pandemic. For over a year they have been following a group of almost 500 people with type 2 diabetes as part of the PREDICT study, which aims to understand the course of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
“We have been very lucky in Australia to avoid the high rates of infection in other parts of the world, but Melbourne in particular has also faced some of the toughest lockdowns in the world. Our team wanted to understand how this new normal is affecting the health and wellbeing of people with diabetes, ”says Professor Shaw.
He says the results show continued support is essential to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with type 2 diabetes. “The data is also corroborated by what we see in our diabetes clinics every time we get banned,” says Professor Shaw. “As soon as a block is announced, the phone rings and people who cancel appointments. This is worrying as there is the potential to miss important opportunities to address emerging problems and prevent serious complications of diabetes. “
“In diabetes care, it is important that we have access to accurate and up-to-date information to help our patients manage their health, especially during times of additional stress,” says Professor Shaw. “Health services must continue to adapt to maximize patient engagement and ensure adequate monitoring of risk factors.”
Health, wellbeing and behavioral data were also evaluated, and Dr. Sacre says the results are not just downfall and tribulation.
“Although many people reported negative effects of the pandemic on their quality of life, overall levels of anxiety and depression remained the same as they were before the pandemic, and the burden of diabetes actually decreased,” he says. “Many people in the study were of retirement age and may not have had the stress of home schooling or job insecurity that others experienced. Still, it was very reassuring to see how many people got along well. “
“But it’s important to note that this data was collected during the initial lockdown, so we don’t know whether a longer or repeated lockout period might have had a greater effect.”
If you have type 2 diabetes and would like to participate in the PREDICT study in Melbourne, visit https://baker.edu.au/predict.
/ Public publication by the Baker Institute. This material is from the original organization and can be punctiform, edited for clarity, style and length. View in full here.
