The researchers note that type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition and therefore without intervention, risk factors such as blood pressure tend to increase over time.
They state: “It is concerning that we observed a 22% reduction in new antihypertensive medication prescribing between March and December 2020, perhaps caused by less frequent monitoring and restricted face-to-face clinical contacts.”
Researchers note there is evidence that national lockdowns have had detrimental effects on cardiovascular disease risk for people with type 2 diabetes, “which could be exacerbated by the reduced monitoring and prescribing observed in our study”.
The study concludes that healthcare planners “should seize opportunities provided by the COVID-19 pandemic” to improve models, processes and standards of care for people with diabetes.