623-P: COVID-Impact on Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management during the Pandemic

Introduction: Persons with diabetes and COVID-have higher rates of morbidity and mortality than those without diabetes. Engagement in Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services may improve diabetes self-management adherence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether COVID-impact and attendance of DSMES services were predictors of diabetes self-management among individuals with T2D during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants (N=86) of this cross-sectional survey study were adults with T2D who either had (n=29) or had not (n=57) previously attended at least one DSMES class. The Coronavirus Impact Scale (range 0-24) was used to measure impact of the pandemic on daily life. The Self-Management Profile for Type 2 Diabetes was used to measure overall self-management and subscales for adherence, ease, coping, and importance. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine whether COVID-impact and DSMES participation predicted self-management total scores or subscale scores, controlling for age, sex, marital status, financial status, and time since diabetes diagnosis, with separate models for each predictor.

Results: Participants were 57±12.3 years; 50% female, and 90% non-Hispanic White. DSMES attendance did not significantly predict subscale or overall scores for self-management. Higher COVID-impact predicted worse self-management adherence (F 3.71, p=0.002) , greater self-management ease (F 3.72, p=0.002) , decreased coping (F 4.65, p<0.001) , and worse overall self-management (F 4.93, p<0.001) . Neither COVID-impact nor DSMES attendance predicted self-management importance (p=0.79 and 0.99, respectively) .

Conclusions: Findings underscore the negative impact of the COVID-pandemic on diabetes self-management and highlight the need for interventions to improve self-management practices during times of crisis.