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

• Published in: Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity Vol. 15; pp. 2857 - 2865
• Main Authors: Ulloa, Ana C. Garcia, Tron-Gomez, Maria S, Diaz-Pineda, Michelle, Hernandez-Juarez, Diana, Landa-Anell, Maria V, Melgarejo-Hernandez, Marco A, Hernandez-Jimenez, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Macclesfield Dove Medical Press Limited 30.09.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Blood sugar monitoring; Complications and side effects; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; covid-19 pandemics; Diabetes; Diabetics; Epidemics; lifestyle; Meals; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Mental depression; Mental health; Mexico; multidisciplinary care; Original Research; Patient education; self-care; Shelter in place; Training; Type 2 diabetes; Mexico
• ISSN: 1178-7007; 1178-7007
• DOI: 10.2147/DMSO.S379547

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. Keywords: multidisciplinary care, lifestyle, self-care, mental health, type 2 diabetes, COVID-19 pandemics