The effect of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Turkey

A national lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Turkey was introduced in March 2020. We think that lockdowns may lead to weight gain and worsening of glycemic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this study was to investigate how type 2 DM patients were affected by the lockdown. Type 2 DM patients unable to attend regular follow-ups due to lockdown over a 75-day period between March and June 2020 and who again attended polyclinic follow-up when the lockdown was lifted were included in the study. These patients’ glycemic control and weight status were compared with the pre-lockdown period. In addition, patients’ general habits, and adherence to diet and exercise were evaluated, while their general health was assessed using the Short-Form 36-item survey. The research involved 101 type 2 DM patients, 57 men (56.5%) and 44 women (44.5%), with a mean age of 55 ± 13. Patients’ mean pre-lockdown weight was 84.7 ± 16.4 kg, rising to 85.5 ± 16.8 kg post-lockdown, although the increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.781). In terms of glycemic parameters, Hba1c rose from 7.67 ± 1.76 to 8.11 ± 2.48, and fasting glucose from 157.9 (83–645) mg/dl to 163.2 (84–550) mg/dl, none of which were statistically significant (p = 0.253, p = 0.079, respectively). In addition to weight gain among type 2 DM patients during the Covid 19 lockdown, statistically insignificant increases were also observed in such glycemic parameters. This was a small sample and further studies with larger sample are needed. •There was statistically insignificant weight gain in patients with diabetes during the lockdown.•Statistically insignificant worsening in glycemic parameters was observed during the lockdown.•There was worsening of lifestyle parameters during the lockdown.