COVID-19 impacts hospital admission rates and short- and long-term outcomes for type 1 diabetes patients

Aims: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on hospital care access and health outcomes in type 1 diabetes across equity groups. Methods: We analyzed OptumLabs Data Warehouse data for type 1 diabetes individuals one year before and after COVID-19. We assessed monthly hospitalization rates and conducted interrupted time series analysis to quantify the immediate impact and trend over time. Health outcomes were assessed by complication-based hospital admissions. Results: COVID-19 onset led to an immediate, significant drop in hospitalization rates, suggesting deferred care from fears of contracting COVID-19 in healthcare settings. This decline was more pronounced in those who are older, with higher incomes and education. Post-COVID onset, a compensatory rise in hospitalization rates was observed, particularly in older age and minority groups. Both hospitalizations for short- and long-term diabetes complications dropped at COVID onset and reversed afterwards. These changes were significant for hypoglycemic outcomes. Conclusions: COVID-19 significantly disrupted healthcare access for individuals with type 1 diabetes, with deferred care leading to temporary declines in hospitalization rates followed by compensatory increases. This pattern varied across equity groups, highlighting disparities in healthcare access and responses to the pandemic. Emphasizing self-care management, especially in vulnerable groups is crucial.