Maintenance of Self-Care Activities During COVID-19 Lockdown in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes That Received a Comprehensive Care Program Training

Abstract

Introduction

In 2020, several countries established a global emergency state. Lockdowns restricted people’s lifestyles and daily activities to prevent coronavirus spread. These measures hindered diabetes mellitus control and lifestyle changes. This study aims to evaluate if attending a multidisciplinary program before the pandemic helped maintain a good metabolic state, lifestyle modifications, and mental health in patients with diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

Patients included in this study attended a multidisciplinary program, with <5 years of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, without disabling complications, between 18–70 years old. The complete lockdown occurred from February 27, 2020, to May 31, 2020. The first patient (non-COVID) to return to the center for face-to-face consultation was in March 2021. Consultations in 2019 were face-to-face and changed to a virtual modality during 2020. We analyzed metabolic, lifestyle, mental health, and diabetes education parameters.

Results

A total of 133 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included with complete information in visits before and during the lockdown. Metabolic parameters and self-care measures (nutrition plan, foot evaluation, and self-glucose monitoring) evaluated on our patients had no change during the lockdown. We found a significant increase in the time patients spent sitting during the day (p<0.05). Barriers to exercise increased during lockdown, being joint pain (3.8% to 12.0%, p<0.01) and lack of time to exercise (4.5% to 7.5%, p=0.33) being the most common. There was no significant difference in symptoms of anxiety and depression, quality of life, and empowerment.

Conclusion

A multidisciplinary diabetes mellitus program, including diabetes education for self-care activities, positively impacts patients, maintaining good outcomes despite lockdown difficulties.