Glucose control in home-isolated adults with type 1 diabetes affected by COVID-19 using continuous glucose monitoring

Purpose This study is aimed at evaluating changes in metrics of glucose control in home-isolated patients with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. Methods We included adults aged 18-45 years with type 1 diabetes, using CGM, followed by telemedicine at a Southern Italian University Hospital. Thirty-two home-quarantined subjects with SARS-CoV-2 positive swab constituted the COVID-19 group. Thirty age-matched diabetic individuals without COVID-19 formed the control group. The effects of COVID-19 on glycemic control in patients infected were assessed at different time points [2 weeks before-COVID-19 (Time 1), 2 weeks during-COVID-19 (Time 2) and 2 weeks after COVID-19 (Time 3)] and compared with those without infection. Results A significant reduction of TIR (Time 1 vs Time 2, %, 60.1 +/- 16.6 vs 55.4 +/- 19.2, P = 0.03), associated with a significant increase of TAR level 2 (10.1 +/- 7.3 vs 16.7 +/- 12.9, P < 0.001), GMI (7.1 +/- 0.6 vs 7.5 +/- 0.8, P < 0.001), CV (37.3 +/- 7.1 vs 39.6 +/- 7.0, P = 0.04), mean glucose values (mg/dL, 160.2 +/- 26.5 vs 175.5 +/- 32.6, P = 0.001) and standard deviation (59.2 +/- 13.1 vs 68.6 +/- 17.7, P = 0.001) was observed in patients with COVID-19. No significant change of glycemic metrics was found in the NO COVID-19 group across the time. Conclusion Young home-isolated patients with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 showed a worsening of glucose control during COVID-19, as compared with age-matched diabetic subjects without the infection.