Decade-Long Evolution of Diabetes Mellitus and the Impact of COVID-19 on Glycaemic Control: A Retrospective Study (2012–2022)

Rui Azevedo; Inês  Duro; Paulo  Aguiar; Mary Duro

doi:10.48797/sl.2025.290

Authors

Rui Azevedo LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Portugal
Inês Duro Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António (CHUdSA), Largo do professor Abel Salazar,4099-001 Porto, Portugal
Paulo Dessa Aguiar Clinical Analysis Laboratory, Vale do Sousa Lda., Penafiel, Portugal
Mary Duro LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Nordestelab Clinical Analysis Laboratory Dra. Matilde Sampaio, Mogadouro, Portugal; Higher School of Health, Fernando Pessoa Foundation, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4371-8330

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2025.290

Keywords:

diabetes, HBA1c, COVID pandemic

Abstract

The aims were to evaluate the evolution of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the 2012/22 decade and the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study was carried out through retrospective analysis in an outpatient laboratory database. A total of 10,527 glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c) results corresponding to different users were analyzed retrospectively at three different times: 2012/13, 2017/18, and 2021/22. We determined the percentage of DM in these biennia and then the evolution of HBA1c levels of the diabetics themselves. By the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, in 2012/13, 2017/18, and 2021/22, 39.2%, 30.5% and 31.4% of the users of this laboratory had DM, respectively. The median (P25-P75) HbA1c decreased over the decade (p < 0.001): 7.7% (7.0-8.8) in 2012/13, 7.4% (6.8-8.3) in 2017/18, and 7.3% (6.8-8.2) in 2021/22. However, there were no statistically significant differences between 2017/18 and 2021/22 (p = 1.00). The same trend was observed for individuals older than 45 years (p < 0.001), but not for individuals between 18 and 44 years old (p = 0.339). There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.374) between female and male individuals. The overall decrease in HbA1c levels since 2012/13 seems to indicate better disease management of individuals with DM. It is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic and all its health and social consequences have negatively affected the downward trend in HbA1c levels. More studies are needed to assess the long-term public health impact of COVID-19, particularly regarding DM and other non-communicable chronic diseases.

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