Trends in Diabetes Care during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Japan: an Observational Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine medical services worldwide. Physicians have been required to postpone routine outpatient visits of those with chronic diseases, including diabetes, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. Selfquarantine can pose a major threat to patients’ access to primary care, which is necessary to prevent diabetes complications. Since uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, reduced diabetes care may have significant public health consequences. However, little is known about how much the care for people with diabetes has reduced during this pandemic. We evaluated nationwide changes in diabetes care in outpatient settings during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan.