ABSTRACT
AimsHbA1c levels were measured less frequently in our paediatric diabetes clinics as several restrictions were put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We set out to determine whether these restrictions affected our patients’ HbA1c control.MethodsAll HbA1c levels of patients with type 1 diabetes were collected from the following time period: (i) pre-lockdown HbA1c (Pre-LD), (ii) first lockdown HbA1c (F-LD), (iii) last lockdown HbA1c (L-LD), coinciding with a gradual phased return to quarterly HbA1c measurement in our clinics, and (iv) first post-lockdown HbA1c (Post-LD), after March 2021. Data were tested for significance using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and expressed as median (IQR).Results97 patients aged 14.5 ± 3.3 were included. HbA1c levels increased Post-LD (58 (52-67)mmol/mol) compared to Pre-LD (57 (50-66)mmol/mol;p=0.03). We found no significant differences in all other HbA1c levels. F-LD HbA1c were 58 (50-65)mmol/mol. L-LD HbA1c were 57 (51.5-65)mmol/mol. There was a gradual increase in mean HbA1c level over the time period from 59.0mmol/mol to 61.5mmol/mol.ConclusionOur study showed slightly worse glycaemic control due to the Covid-19 pandemic although whether this disruption is sustained is unknown. The next part of this study aims to ascertain whether glycaemic control will improve as we return to quarterly HbA1c measurement.