Diabetes management and specific considerations for patients with diabetes during coronavirus diseases pandemic: A scoping review

Abstract

Background and aims: The global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) affects almost all countries in the world, which potentially alter diabetes management. Many diabetes patients are experiencing barrier of care due to the policy related to COVID-19. This article aims to review the current evidence on diabetes management and specific considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with diabetes. Methods: We conducted a scoping review in PubMed, Science Direct, DOAJ and Microsoft Academics databases from January 1 to April 17, 2020. Searching terms included “COVID-19”, “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2”, and “Diabetes Mellitus” were used. Only scientific articles discussing diabetes management and specific considerations were selected and extracted. Results: A total of 7 articles was selected in the analysis. Most were published in diabetes journals (85.71%). All articles (100%) discussed diabetes management and 71.43% of them provided diabetes care in specific considerations. We discussed issue of diabetes management in glycemic control and monitoring, dietary intake, physical activity, medication, education and prevention of COVID-19 infection that applicable for diabetes patients. In addition, specific considerations explored caring for diabetes in children and adolescents, pregnancy, elderly, emergency or critical care, to offer certain concern for raising the awareness. Conclusions: This review specifies a summary of diabetes management as well as the particular considerations to care people living with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic. Patients, health care providers, and policy makers could take advantage of the review to assist diabetic people passing through COVID-19 pandemic session with optimum glycemic outcome.