Hermányi Z, Menyhárt A, Körei AE, Istenes I, Lao-Kan GA, Csiki V, Benhamida A, Kozlovszky M, Berey A, Markovich P, Kempler P. A comprehensive analysis of diabetic patient data before and during the COVID-19 pandemic - Lessons from the MÉRY diabetes database (MDD).
J Diabetes Complications 2024;
38:108799. [PMID:
38897066 DOI:
10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108799]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
AIMS
Our study examined changes in average blood glucose levels (ABG), measurement frequency (MF), and data uploading (DU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 882-day spans, which were divided into further 20-week intervals to highlight the pandemic's impact.
METHODS
T-Tests assessed the statistical significance of blood glucose data from 26,655/20,936 patients and 19.5/16.6 million records during pre-COVID/COVID.
RESULTS
During COVID, patients had significantly lower ABG levels (9.1/8.9 mmol/L, p < 0.001). Weekly DU decreased (155,945/128,445, p < 0.05), while daily MF increased (0.83/0.87, p < 0.001). Comparing the last 20 weeks pre-COVID to the first 20 weeks during COVID, ABG levels were lower (9.0 /8.9, p < 0.01), MF increased (0.83 /0.99, p < 0.001), and DU decreased (153,133/145,381, p < 0.05). In the initial 20 weeks of COVID compared to the second 20 weeks of COVID, ABG increased (8.9/9.1, p < 0.01), MF decreased (0.99/0.95, p < 0.001), and DU decreased (145,381/140,166, p < 0.05). Our most striking observation was the temporary dramatic fall in glucose uploads during the first few weeks of COVID. The changes of ABG and MF values were statistically significant, but were not deemed clinically relevant.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite COVID's prolonged impact, diabetic patients showed improved attitudes. A significant drop in data uploads occurred during the first 20 weeks of COVID; home office and lockdowns apparently disrupted patient routines.
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