Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown on Glycaemic Control: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study in a Tertiary Setting

We analysed the effects of Swiss national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. In a retrospective observational cohort study with observation period 16 December 2018-27 July 2020, we included tertiary care patients with diabetes and at least one glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement before and after the lockdown beginning. Main outcome measure was change in HbA1c after the lockdown. We included 1078 patients (86% diabetes type 2) with a mean HbA1c of 55.63 mmol/mol (7.24%). Glycaemic control was susceptible to seasonal changes with higher mean HbA1c in winter as compared to spring (57.49 mmol/mol (7.41%) vs. 55.52 mmol/mol (7.23%), p = 0.013). The lockdown did not affect the mean HbA1c values of all patients. However, we found a higher proportion of type 2 diabetes patients with a worsening HbA1c after the lockdown as compared to the year before (32% vs. 22.9%, p = 0.02). In a mixed-model regression multivariable analysis, inappropriate alcohol intake and hypothyroidism were associated with an increase in HbA1c after the lockdown. In conclusion, the national lockdown had no effect on overall mean HbA1c values but affected a proportion of type 2 diabetes patients with worsening HbA1c, whose individual risk factors were identified.

Automated summary

The Swiss national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact overall mean HbA1c values in patients with diabetes, but a subset of type 2 diabetes patients experienced worsened glycemic control post-lockdown. Individual risk factors such as inappropriate alcohol intake and hypothyroidism were associated with increased HbA1c levels in these patients.