Racial disparities in youth with diabetes have been described with higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lower technology use in minoritized groups. Limited data are available on the effect of the pandemic.
We assessed disparities at onset and 1 year follow-up in White and Black youth diagnosed with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes in 2019, prior to the pandemic and 2020, 1st year of the pandemic. Of 465 subjects (49% male, 85% White), 83% were diagnosed with T1D and 17% with T2D.
At 1 year follow-up, T1D Black youth had higher HbA1c than Whites (8.9±2.5 vs 7.4±1.4, p=0.004 (onset in 2019) and 8.3±2.6 vs 7.6±1.6, p=0.1 (onset in 2020)). T2D Black youth had higher HbA1c than Whites; 9.1±2.4 vs 6.4±1.4, p=0.11 and 9.1±2.9 vs 7.7±1.5, p=0.06 for those diagnosed in 2019 and 2020 respectively, not significant likely due to small numbers. Use of continuous glucose monitors was lower in Blacks vs Whites (33.3 vs 81.9%, p=<0.001) with onset in 2019, improved in those with onset in 2020 (66 vs 77%, p=0.03).
In summary, there was a doubling in the number of youths diagnosed with T2D in 2020 compared to 2019 with Blacks presenting with higher HbA1c, more often in DKA. Higher HbA1c was seen in Blacks at follow-up irrespective of DM type or year of onset. Further research should focus on evaluating interventions before and after clinical onset of diabetes.
U.L. Muzumdar: None. C. March: None. N. Mkparu: None. I. Libman: None.
