Pandemic’s Impact on Diabetes: Disturbing Trends Uncovered in Global Review

A global study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reveals a concerning increase in non-COVID-19-related deaths among individuals with diabetes during the pandemic.

The review, examining 138 studies across various regions, disclosed a particularly negative impact on diabetes outcomes. Women, children, and racial/ethnic minority groups experienced more severe complications. Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for diabetes-related issues, notably diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), surged, with cases among children and adolescents raising alarm.

The research emphasized the pandemic’s indirect effects on diabetes management, citing reduced healthcare access and utilization, leading to increased diabetes-related and all-cause mortality. Unexpectedly, there was a rise in new cases of Type 1 diabetes, with newly diagnosed children exhibiting more severe symptoms than in non-pandemic periods. The negative impacts were most pronounced for females, younger individuals, and minority groups.

Co-lead author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce stressed the importance of including diabetes care in future pandemic planning, especially for vulnerable populations. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects on diabetes outcomes observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.