Prevalence of Long COVID and the Impact on Diabetes Management and Physical Activity Participation in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: An Australia-wide Cross-sectional Online Survey

Emily R Cox; Ronald C Plotnikoff; Peter G Gibson; Shelley E Keating; Shamasunder Acharya; Hayley Lewthwaite

doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2024.08.004

Prevalence of Long COVID and the Impact on Diabetes Management and Physical Activity Participation in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: An Australia-wide Cross-sectional Online Survey

Can J Diabetes. 2024 Aug 17:S1499-2671(24)00147-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2024.08.004. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Emily R Cox¹, Ronald C Plotnikoff², Peter G Gibson³, Shelley E Keating⁴, Shamasunder Acharya⁵, Hayley Lewthwaite⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Active Living and Learning Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Centre for Active Living and Learning, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Active Living and Learning Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia; School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Treatable Traits Centre for Research Excellence, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
⁵ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Treatable Traits Centre for Research Excellence, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 39159783
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2024.08.004

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this research was to understand the prevalence and impact of long COVID on adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Specifically, we sought to identify the proportion of adults with T2D who have had COVID-19 and experienced long COVID symptoms. We also explored how these ongoing symptoms impact diabetes management and physical activity participation.

Methods: Our study was carried out using an online survey of adults in Australia with T2D who had confirmed COVID-19 ≥12 weeks before participation. Respondents were asked to report the presence (and severity) of long COVID-19 symptoms, and, for those with long COVID, the impact of their symptoms on diabetes management (blood glucose, body weight) and physical activity participation (activities of daily living, work/study, exercise).

Results: Survey responses were provided by 1,046 adults with T2D (median age 61.0 [interquartile range 49.8 to 70.0] years; 56.0% men, 42.1% women, and 1% nonbinary/transgender; median T2D duration 10.0 [5.0 to 18.0] years and median time since COVID-19 infection 33.0 [20.3 to 36.1] weeks). Almost one third (30%) of respondents reported long COVID symptoms (present ≥12 weeks after most recent infection); 40% of respondents with long COVID symptoms reported a worsening of their diabetes management since their COVID-19 infection, with 29% reporting trouble controlling their blood glucose and 43% reporting a higher body weight. Two thirds of respondents with ongoing symptoms reported that these symptoms moderately to severely impacted their ability to perform activities of daily living, work, and/or exercise. The majority of those with long COVID reported reducing the frequency, duration, and/or intensity of exercise since their COVID-19 infection, with 36.1% not yet returning to their preinfection exercise levels; 66% cited ongoing symptoms as the primary reason for these limitations.

Conclusions: Physical activity is a crucial component of diabetes management. However, the high prevalence of long COVID is hindering participation in this population, as well as deleteriously impacting diabetes management. Developing strategies to support adults with T2D and long COVID to recommence safe levels of physical activity is of critical importance.

Keywords: Glycémie; blood glucose; body weight; diabetes mellitus type 2; diabète sucré de type 2; exercice physique; exercise; poids corporel; postacute COVID-19 syndrome; syndrome post-COVID-19.