Emotional burden and care of adults with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian regions.

AIMS: This study investigated the emotional burden in persons with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian regions and evaluated which COVID-19, sociodemographic/clinical characteristics are related to it. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, T1D adults completed a web-based survey from May to July 2020. We collected sociodemographic/clinical data, and participants answered COVID-19 related questions. Diabetes burnout was evaluated by Diabetes burnout scale. Type 1 Diabetes scale assessed Diabetes Distress and PHQ-8 measured depressive symptoms. RESULTS: DD and DS levels were similar in all Brazilian regions. DB was higher in Central-West/North/Northeast. Higher DB was associated with females, lower-income, higher HbA1c, and shorter time since T1D diagnosis. Predictors of experiencing higher levels of DD included: difficulty access to safe places to exercise, participants without a partner, male gender, young age, and higher HbA1c. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with difficulty to access diabetes supplies, and higher HbA1c (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mean levels of DB, DD, and DS were high in all Brazilian regions. A great number of PWT1D had their diabetes care impaired and relied on family as their main support during the pandemic. The subgroups identified at risk should be prioritized in mental health support.

Cross-national comparison of psychosocial well-being and diabetes outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in US, Brazil, and Iran.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency, which presents wide-ranging negative impacts on individuals with diabetes. To examine psychosocial well-being and diabetes outcomes in individuals with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate how these factors vary in different countries. METHODS: Between April and June 2020 we employed a cross national comparative research study in the United States (US), Brazil, and Iran to collect data from 1788 adults with type 1 diabetes using web-based survey. Study participants answered questions relevant to diabetes distress, diabetes burnout, depressive symptoms, COVID-19 related changes, and socio-demographic characteristics. They also reported their last Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and daily Time-in-Range (TiR) blood glucose. We analyzed data using comparative tests (Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and McNemar test), logistic and linear regression adjusted for fixed effects. RESULTS: There were significant changes prior and during the pandemic regarding access to diabetes care, diabetes supplies and medications, healthy food and safe places to exercise in all countries (p < 0.05). Participants in Iran experienced higher levels of diabetes distress (57.1%), diabetes burnout (50%), and depressive symptoms (60.9%), followed by Brazil and US (p < 0.0001). US participants reported better glycemic control (HbA1c = 6.97%, T1R = 69.64%) compared to Brazil (HbA1c = 7.94%, T1R = 51.95%) and Iran (HbA1c = 7.47%, T1R = 51.53%) (p < 0.0001). There were also significant relationships between psychosocial well-being, diabetes outcomes, socio-demographic data, and COVID-19 related challenges in overall sample (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of differences among US, Brazil, and Iran, our findings revealed that different countries may experience similar challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic which can impact negatively diabetes outcomes and psychosocial well-being in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Countries need to consider modifiable variables associated with poor diabetes outcomes and sub optimal psychosocial well-being and target vulnerable population using significant socio-demographic variables.