IDF2022-0579 Post COVID-19 diabetes project: Intensive cardio-renal-metabolic management for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D)

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases morbidity and mortality risk related to COVID-19 [1,2]. People with T2D affected by COVID-19 therefore require intensive targeting of metabolic risk factors to mitigate this risk and improve outcomes.

Aim

The intensive multidisciplinary (MDT) project aimed to improve metabolic risk profile and emotional wellbeing in people with T2D who had severe COVID-19 by adopting a holistic approach.

Method

The 12-month project, comprised of MDT clinics, development of referral pathways and resource building. Patients were risk-stratified and modifiable risk factors including HbA1c, weight, blood pressure, lipids and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale (PHQ-9) were collected at baseline (first clinic appointment) and follow-up (discharge) for patients for whom at least 3-months of data was available. Linear regression assessed change from baseline for all variables.

Results

Baseline data were collected (N = 61; male 57.4%). 56 had confirmed COVID-19. Median age was 57 years and median T2D duration was 7 years. 52.5% belonged to minority ethnic groups. A significant reduction in HbA1c, weight and PHQ-9 scores were observed at follow-up (Table 1). Use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1RA) was associated with greater reductions in HbA1c and weight.

Conclusion

Intensive MDT care was beneficial in improving metabolic risk profile and emotional well-being in people with T2D following COVID-19, indicating that holistic approach targeting multiple risk factors improves physical and psychological outcomes for people with T2D.