Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control in young people with type 1 diabetes: a retrospective review at a large hospital

This study aimed to determine whether the UK lockdown to reduce COVID-19 transmission had an impact on glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Data from the continuous and intermittent glucose monitoring devices of patients at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals were compared alongside changes in patient contact in the 12 weeks prior to and following lockdown. Excluding newly-diagnosed patients (within 1 year), HbA1c levels decreased from 67.4 mmol/mol to 61.3 mmol/mol (8.3% to 7.8%; p<0.001) and mean glucose from 9.7 mmol/L to 9.5 mmol/L (p=0.034), with smaller standard deviation (4.4 mmol/L versus 4.2 mmol/L, p<0.001) after lockdown. Time-in-range (3.9–10.0 mmol/L) increased from 55.2% to 58.0% (p=0.017), with no change in time below range (4.8% versus 5.0%, p=0.495). Glycaemic control improved in the 12 weeks following national lockdown. These findings suggest that increased remote contact with patients with type 1 diabetes has not been detrimental to glycaemic control.