COVID-19 and post-pandemic changes in physical activity and glycated haemoglobin in children with type 1 diabetes: A case-control study

Nur Rochmah; Neurinda Permata Kusumastuti; Rayi Kurnia  Perwitasari; Yuni  Hisbiyah; Nabilah Azzah Putri Wairooy; Aditya  Primadana; Bambang Subakti Zulkarnain; Muhammad Faizi

doi:10.23750/abm.v96i1.16393

COVID-19 and post-pandemic changes in physical activity and glycated haemoglobin in children with type 1 diabetes: A case-control study

Authors

Nur Rochmah Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia"} https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9626-9615
Neurinda Permata Kusumastuti Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7637-4285
Rayi Kurnia Perwitasari Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8699-4063
Yuni Hisbiyah Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1362-108X
Nabilah Azzah Putri Wairooy Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2916-6859
Aditya Primadana Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4936-3034
Bambang Subakti Zulkarnain Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8906-4665
Muhammad Faizi Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine—UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7009-4896

Keywords:

Type 1 Diabetes, Adolescents, Glycated Haemoglobin, Physical Activity, COVID-19, limited resource settings, pandemic impact, case control study, children with diabetes, post-covid changes

Abstract

Background: Exercise is crucial for managing T1DM by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing cardiovascular risk. However, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on physical activity and glycaemic control in adolescents with T1DM in resource-limited settings like Indonesia remains unclear. This study compares these factors in T1DM patients during and after the pandemic to highlight diabetes care in Indonesia.

Research design and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Indonesian pediatric endocrine clinic department of Dr. Soetomo Hospital between July 2020 and August 2024. Data were collected from 120 pediatric T1DM patients two years after COVID-19 restrictions were implemented. The study used a validated Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ), with a validity of 0.881 and reliability of 0.745, which had been translated into Indonesian.

Result: Of 120 subjects, 70 submitted data during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 50 did so two years later. HbA1c levels showed a non-significant decrease post-pandemic (10.1 ± 2.44 vs. 9.77 ± 1.96). Physical activity levels did not significantly change (p = 0.135) or correlation between activity and HbA1c (p = 0.314). However, 29 subjects reported reduced physical activity after the restrictions.

Conclusion: This study found no evidence of a significant relationship between physical activity and glycaemic control in adolescents with T1DM during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting other factors influence blood sugar levels. The findings emphasize the need for tailored treatments in low-resource settings like Indonesia, while still underscoring the importance of reducing sedentary behavior and promoting regular physical activity.

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