Improved glucometrics in people with type 1 diabetes 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemicImproved glucometrics in people with type 1 diabetes 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction 

Various studies have shown a number of glycemic parameters to improve over several weeks in people with type 1 diabetes during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether and to what extent such improvement is sustained during following COVID-19 surges remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate glycemic parameters during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in people with type 1 diabetes and to determine factors associated with glycemic improvement.

Research design and methods 

This was an observational cohort study in people with type 1 diabetes, aged >= 16 years. We compared glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) downloads between the prelockdown period and approximately 1 year thereafter. Using logistic regression analysis, we assessed associations between an HbA(1c) reduction of at least 0.5% (similar to 5.5 mmol/mol) with baseline clinical characteristics and self-reported changes in psychological well-being and lifestyle behavior related to COVID-19.

Results 

A total of 437 participants were included. As compared with prepandemic data, 1 year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, HbA(1c) had decreased from 7.9%+/- 1.1% (63 +/- 12 mmol/mol) to 7.5%+/- 1.0% (59 +/- 11 mmol/mol) (p13.9 mmol/L) range and glucose variability all decreased (all p

Conclusions 

The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures were associated with improvement in glucometrics, including HbA(1c) and FGM data, in individuals with type 1 diabetes, particularly in FGM users, those with higher HbA(1c) at baseline or current smokers.