Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glucose control of elderly people with type 2 diabetes in Italy.

Abstract Aims to evaluate the effect of home confinement related to COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic control in subjects with T2DM in Italy. Methods we evaluated the metabolic profile of 304 individuals with T2DM (65% males; age 69±9 years; diabetes duration 16±10 years) attending our Diabetes Unit early at the end of lockdown period (June 8 to July 7, 2020) and compared it with the latest one recorded before lockdown. Results There was no significant difference in fasting plasma glucose (8.6±2.1 vs 8.8±2.5 mmol/L; P=0.353) and HbA1c (7.1±0.9 vs 7.1±0.9%; P=0.600) before and after lockdown. Worsening of glycaemic control (i.e., ΔHbA1c≥0.5%) occurred more frequently in older patients (32.2% in >80 years vs 21.3% in 61-80 years vs 9.3% in 80 years (OR 4.62; 95%CI: 1.22-16.07) and insulin therapy (OR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.10-3.50) remained independently associated to worsening in glycaemic control. Conclusions Home confinement related to COVID-19 lockdown did not exert a negative effect on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. However, age and insulin therapy can identify patients at greatest risk of deterioration of glycaemic control.