Influence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus after one year of follow-up

Abstract Objectives Lockdown during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic generated uncertainty regarding its effects on the control of type 1 diabetes (DM1). Our study aims to evaluate the influence of the pandemic on the control of paediatric patients with DM1. Methods Longitudinal, retrospective, observational study in patients with DM1 attended between 15/10/2019 and 15/03/2020. Data were collected at that visit and at the three subsequent visits. The second was remote in 50% of cases. The variables analysed were: type of insulin therapy, time in range (TIR), time in hypoglycaemia (THypo), time in hyperglycaemia (THyper), coefficient of variation (CV), glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin requirements and anthropometric data. Results 157 patients were recruited. At the post-lockdown visit, the TIR increased and the THyper decreased with respect to the first (p<0.00) and second (p<0.00) visits. Patients treated with subcutaneous infusion showed a higher TIR at the third visit (p=0.03) and lower insulin requirements at the fourth visit (p=0.03) compared to patients treated with multiple doses. Patients with a remote visit presented a higher TIR (p<0.00), a lower THyper (p=0.00) and lower insulin requirements (p=0.01) at the next visit. Patients aged less than 6 years presented a lower glycosylated haemoglobin (p=0.01) and insulin requirements at the third (p=0.03) and fourth (p=0.01) visits, and a lower increase in body mass index (p=0.03) over the year. Conclusions Metabolic control improved at the post-lockdown visit. Patients treated with subcutaneous infusion, those who had a remote visit during strict lockdown and those aged less than 6 years had a better evolution.