Type 1 diabetes and COVID-19: the “Lockdown effect”

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect the lockdown imposed during COVID-19 outbreak on the glycemic control of people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) using Continuous (CGM) or Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed glucose reading obtained by FGM or CGM in T1D subjects Sensor data from 2 weeks before the lockdown (Period 0, P0), 2 weeks immediately after the lockdown (period 1, P1), in mid-lockdown (Period 2, P2) and immediately after end of lockdown (Period 3, P3) were analyzed RESULTS The study included 63 T1D patients, (FGM: 52, 82%;CGM:11, 18%) Sensor use (91%) were slightly reduced Despite this reduction, Time in Range increased in P1 (62%), P2 (61%) and P3 (62%) as compared to P0 (58%, all p<0 05 or less) with concomitant reduction in the Time Above Range (P0: 38%;P1: 34%, P2: 34%, P3: 32%, all p<0 05 or less vs P0) Average glucose and GMI improved achieving statistical difference in P3 (165 vs 158 mg/dl, p=0 040 and 7 2% (55 mmol/mol) vs 7 0% (53 mmol/mol), p=0 016) compared to P0 Time Below Range (TBR) and overall glucose variability remained unchanged Bi-hourly analysis of glucose profile showed an improvement particularly in the early morning hours CONCLUSIONS In T1D subjects with good glycemic control on CGM or FGM, the lockdown had no negative impact Rather a modest but significant improvement in glycemic control has been recorded, most likely reflecting more regular daily life activities and reduces work-related distress