Covid-19-Specific Worries Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Following the Continuation of the Pandemic and Occurrence of Multiple Waves of Covid-19 in Iran Publisher



Peimani M¹ ; Bandarian F² ; Namazi N^{1, 3} ; Nasliesfahani E¹
Source: Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Published:2022

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To assess COVID-19-specific diabetes worries, and to determine characteristics of people with high levels of these worries among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) following the continuation of the pandemic and occurrence of multiple waves of COVID-19 in Iran. Methods: An interviewer-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using 500 T2D people in a diabetes specialty clinic. The questionnaire package comprised five parts: sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, COVID-19-specific worries, diabetes-related distress, feelings of isolation and changes in diabetes-specific behaviors. Clinical history and serum measurements were collected from electronic medical records. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were performed in the study. Results: Worries related to COVID-19 pandemic were highly prevalent in T2D people. Around 60% were worried about being severely affected due to diabetes if infected with COVID-19 and being described as a high-risk group for COVID-19, and more than half about being possibly faced with lack of diabetes medications. Logistic regressions demonstrated that being female, higher age, diabetes-related complications, duration of diabetes, insulin use, feeling isolation, diabetes-related distress and having changed self-management behaviors were associated with being more worried about diabetes and COVID-19. Conclusion: Diabetes-related worries relating to the COVID-19 were strongly associated with poorer psychosocial status. Findings emphasize the importance of conveying up-to-date information regarding diabetes and COVID-19 that patients want and need to know, also of providing emotional support associated with COVID-19-specific diabetes worries. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.