Endocrine Abstracts

This study assesses adherence to the NICE guidance of GLP-1 agonist and DPP-IV inhibitor prescribing from 2021-2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in primary care. We took a group of 86 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and monitored HbA1c, BMI, frequency of diabetic reviews, medication changes and symptoms throughout the pandemic. Evaluation of adherence to the NICE guidance during COVID-19 and the effects on these patients was made. The intervention was an MDT meeting reviewing NICE guidelines and reviewing records with diabetes specialist nurses. Results showed that as the pandemic progressed, there were direct negative effects on the number of appropriate medication changes made and therefore a lack of adherence to NICE guidelines. However, the intervention had a positive effect on adherence. HbA1c levels worsened overall throughout the pandemic even when adherence was improving, possibly due to factors such as isolation and limited healthcare access. This highlighted the number of challenges the pandemic presented for patients and healthcare staff. Diabetic patients were unable to access frequent appointments meaning medication changes may not have been possible and there was more reliance on patients to self-manage their condition. As for healthcare staff, there was difficulty reaching patients and adaptations to the way in which care was delivered had to be made. Improving and increasing scalability of further interventions in primary care should be encouraged as the study showed they are likely to benefit patient health, but also reduce costs and have wider impacts on the community. Further data from different groups of patients will allow assessment of how groups were affected differently during the pandemic to help target care. Further cycles of larger patient cohorts within Tower Hamlets will allow greater significance of data.