Endocrine Abstracts

Background: During the pandemic, children and young people (CYP) have been in social isolation and faced many changes to their normal routine. Limited research has been done to understand how CYP with diabetes have been affected.

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand how CYP with diabetes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Questionnaires were produced which included both quantitative and qualitative questions. The questionnaires were then distributed to patients and their carers during the paediatric diabetes clinics held at CAVUHB between 30^th March 2021 and 22^nd April 2021. The questionnaires were also uploaded to the DigiBete platform and local online parent support groups.

Results: There were 54 responses to the questionnaires. Participants said that COVID-19 had the most significant impact on diabetes management, CYP’s psychological wellbeing, and relationships with peers. On a score of one to five, one meaning COVID had no impact and five meaning COVID had a significant impact, psychological wellbeing scored an average of 3.53 by CYP and 2.95 by parents and carers. Diabetes management scored an average of 2.73 by CYP and 3.08 by parents and carers. Participants also believed the pandemic affected the ability to access diabetes related healthcare and relationships within their families. For few participants, this was a positive impact. Most participants said social isolation from family and friends had a negative impact on the wellbeing of children and young people. Being in lockdown resulted in a change in normal routine and less physical activity compared to pre-COVID times; both factors significantly affected patient’s blood glucose measurements.

Conclusions: CYP with diabetes have been affected by the changes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, most commonly in a negative way. Management of their diabetes was more difficult as well as dealing with the negative affects social isolation had on CYP’s wellbeing.