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Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions on psychosocial and behavioural outcomes among Australian adults with type 2 diabetes: Findings from the PREDICT cohort study
Author(s) -
Sacre Julian W.,
HolmesTruscott Elizabeth,
Salim Agus,
Anstey Kaarin J.,
Drummond Grant R.,
Huxley Rachel R.,
Magliano Dianna J.,
van Wijngaarden Peter,
Zimmet Paul Z.,
Speight Jane,
Shaw Jonathan E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.14611
Subject(s) - medicine , worry , psychosocial , anxiety , distress , quality of life (healthcare) , type 2 diabetes , cohort , cohort study , depression (economics) , mental health , psychiatry , clinical psychology , gerontology , diabetes mellitus , nursing , economics , macroeconomics , endocrinology
Aim To examine psychosocial and behavioural impacts of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and lockdown restrictions among adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods Participants enrolled in the PRogrEssion of DIabetic ComplicaTions (PREDICT) cohort study in Melbourne, Australia ( n = 489 with a baseline assessment pre‐2020) were invited to complete a phone/online follow‐up assessment in mid‐2020 (i.e., amidst COVID‐19 lockdown restrictions). Repeated assessments that were compared with pre‐COVID‐19 baseline levels included anxiety symptoms (7‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD‐7]), depressive symptoms (8‐item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ‐8]), diabetes distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes scale [PAID]), physical activity/sedentary behaviour, alcohol consumption and diabetes self‐management behaviours. Additional once‐off measures at follow‐up included COVID‐19‐specific worry, quality of life (QoL), and healthcare appointment changes (telehealth engagement and appointment cancellations/avoidance). Results Among 470 respondents (96%; aged 66 ± 9 years, 69% men), at least ‘moderate’ worry about COVID‐19 infection was reported by 31%, and 29%–73% reported negative impacts on QoL dimensions (greatest for: leisure activities, feelings about the future, emotional well‐being). Younger participants reported more negative impacts ( p < 0.05). Overall, anxiety/depressive symptoms were similar at follow‐up compared with pre‐COVID‐19, but diabetes distress reduced ( p < 0.001). Worse trajectories of anxiety/depressive symptoms were observed among those who reported COVID‐19‐specific worry or negative QoL impacts ( p < 0.05). Physical activity trended lower (~10%), but sitting time, alcohol consumption and glucose‐monitoring frequency remained unchanged. 73% of participants used telehealth, but 43% cancelled a healthcare appointment and 39% avoided new appointments despite perceived need. Conclusions COVID‐19 lockdown restrictions negatively impacted QoL, some behavioural risk factors and healthcare utilisation in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, generalised anxiety and depressive symptoms remained relatively stable.