COVID-۱۹ Lockdown effect on glycemic control, blood pressure, and prevalence of active PDR in diabetic patients

Background: In autumn of ۲۰۲۰, Iran implemented a nationwide lockdown to impede the recurrence of coronavirus disease (COVID-۱۹). As a result, Follow-up visits of diabetic patients due to this nationwide lockdown were also hampered. Furthermore, patients’ fear of COVID-۱۹ also played a notable role in postponing referring to hospitals and clinics resulting in follow-up delays. As a result, this study aimed to see how late follow-up of diabetic patients affected HbA۱c regulation, hypertension, and the prevalence of active proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on patients (above ۱۸ years old) with Type II and I who refer to the internal diseases and diabetology clinic, Tabriz (Iran), between January ۲۰۲۰, and January ۲۰۲۱. Demographic data, HbA۱c, blood pressure and retinopathy status before the outbreak of COVID-۱۹ and afterward the onset of the epidemic were collected. Results: This research has shown that delaying diabetic patient follow-up during the pandemic had no substantial effect on blood pressure or HBA۱C (P<۰.۰۵). Furthermore, the prevalence of active PDR in diabetic patients had increased significantly (P=۰.۰۲۹). Conclusion: Since the COVID-۱۹ pandemic is still ongoing, these results demonstrate how follow-up delay might have a role in occurrence of active PDR. During the COVID۱۹ pandemic, follow-up visits should be scheduled timely and major delays should be avoided.

Keywords:

COVID۱۹ , Lockdown , Glycemic Control , Blood Pressure , PDR , Diabetic Patients