ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a lockdown was imposed in Tunisia with movement restrictions, social distancing and home confinement, which has affected routine healthcare activities and everyday life. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Seventy-eight patients were evaluated in the period of three months after lockdown ending . Clinical metabolic profile, glycemic and metabolic control ( fasting glucose, Hba1c, lipid parameters) were evaluated in patients with type 2 diabetes Results: A total of seventy-eight participants took part in the study, of which 32 (41%) were men and 46(59%) women. Clinical characteristics were shown a weight gain (+ 3,2 kg), an increase in abdominal circumference by 2,7 cm but not change in hypertension profile. Biological parameters found a worsening in diabetes control: meaning fasting glucose was increased by 1,9 mmol/l and HbA1C increased by 1,1% ( 36 have not attend their glycemic targets , compared to 23 in the period before lockdown). six patients report to be hospitalized during this period for major hyperglycemia. Conclusions: A short-term variation of daily habits induced by the COVID-19 lockdown significantly worsened metabolic control in a relevant number of patients with type 2 diabetes. The recent increase in covid 19 spread suggests serious intervention to anticipate such deleterious effect.