Type II Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19: Exploring Insulin Management in Patients from Family Medicine Clinics

TL;DR

This study examines how insulin use affected blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes patients during the pandemic.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the role of insulin therapy in maintaining glycemic control during healthcare disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Findings

Mean A1c levels remained stable at 8.2% during and before the pandemic.

Patients who improved glycemic control were more likely to use insulin during the pandemic.

Discontinuation of insulin was observed in some patients during the study period.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine care for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), raising concerns about its impact on glycemic control and medication management. This study evaluated the relationship between insulin use and glycemic control among T2DM patients during the pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted using deidentified clinical and prescription data from two family medicine clinics, comparing data from the pre-COVID-19 period (1 March 2019–13 March 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (14 March 2020–31 March 2021). Patients included had at least two A1c values before the COVID and one during the COVID. A1c control was defined as less than 8%. Among 992 patients, 238 experienced a change in A1c status: 128 improved and 110 worsened. Mean A1c remained stable at 8.2 across both periods. A majority of patients who improved were using insulin during the COVID-19 era, although some discontinued insulin at some point during the study period. These findings suggest that consistent insulin therapy may have helped maintain glycemic control despite healthcare disruptions. This study highlights the importance of sustained medication management and suggests that integrating telehealth and pharmacist-led care could support diabetes control during future healthcare system challenges.