The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background In December 2019, a novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19, was identified in Wuhan, China. The first case was reported in the Republic of Ireland that month. Since then, along with many other countries worldwide, Ireland has imposed intermittent strict lockdowns to mitigate the spread of the virus. Aims To investigate the impact of lockdown on glycaemic control in young adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods Pre- and post-lockdown HbA1c levels were recorded for 118 patients attending the Young Adult Diabetes clinic in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and the results were compared. Changes in weight, insulin requirements and incidence of DKA/severe hypoglycaemia were also assessed. Results HbA1c results were 3.81 mmol/mol lower post-lockdown. Weight increased by 1.8 kg. Both of these results were statistically significant. Conclusions Lockdown was associated with improved glycaemic control in young adult diabetic patients, and also with an increase in body weight. Changes in lifestyle factors associated with lockdown may explain this finding.