COVID-19’s Impact on Diabetes Outcomes: Key Insights for Wound Care
Summary: This review synthesizes evidence from 138 studies on the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients, highlighting healthcare disruptions that exacerbated morbidity and mortality. Key findings include consistent rises in diabetes-related deaths and major amputations, with mixed results for foot ulcer presentations and hospitalizations. Vulnerable groups—females, younger adults, and racial/ethnic minorities—faced disproportionate risks, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent wound complications like delayed ulcer management leading to amputations in future crises.
Key Highlights:
- Diabetes-related mortality increased across all 13 studies, with sharper rises in younger adults (ages 25-44) and racial/ethnic minorities.
- Major amputations rose in 9 of 12 studies, often linked to pandemic delays in foot care and ulcer monitoring.
- Foot ulcer presentations showed mixed trends: 4 studies reported decreases, 4 increases, and 1 no difference, reflecting uneven access to wound care services.
- Hospital and emergency admissions for diabetes varied, with increases noted in pediatric cases and certain adult subgroups amid lockdowns.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) outcomes were inconsistent, but 3 systematic reviews indicated overall increases, complicating glycemic control and healing.
Keywords:
diabetes complications,
diabetic foot ulcers,
major amputations,
COVID-19 wound care,
healthcare disruptions