SOCIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Z.R. Alikova , A.A. Tsalikova , E.M. Karsanova , F.V. Vedmedenko 
Published: May 2024

Relevance: Patients with diabetes mellitus turned out to be the most vulnerable in the conditions of the spread of the new corona virus infection COVID-19 due to the peculiarities of the immune status and immune response to a viral attack, as well as excessively high virus activity in conditions of hyperglycemia, comorbidity and obesity associated with the course of diabetes. The proportion of diabetic patients among COVID-19 patients in the Russian Federation ranges up to 25%. Special attention and in-depth analysis are required by the medical and social aspects of diabetes mellitus, the results of which can affect the course of the disease and the quality of life of this category of patients. Objective: To conduct a sociological study to assess the consequences of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and methods: Questionnaires of 450 patients with diabetes mellitus were analyzed. The largest number of respondents is represented by the age group of 39-59 years (39.0%), patients aged 60-79 years made up 36.0%, over 80 years 6.0%. The questionnaire included 10 questions about the consequences of coronavirus infection in people with diabetes mellitus. Empirical data were processed and analyzed using the capabilities of the IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0.1 software and analytical complex.
Results: a sociological assessment of the impact of COVID-19 coronavirus infection on patients with diabetes mellitus was carried out. The consequences of the disease in the context of this chronic pathology are analyzed in detail and the peculiarities of adaptation, medical and social challenges are revealed. The transmitted coronavirus infection COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the health of patients with diabetes mellitus of all age groups, the consequences of which are manifested in the decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism. The highest percentage of decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism was found in workers (50.0%) and pensioners (39.8%), the vast majority of whom are patients over 80 years old. The results of the survey revealed that 59.0% of patients visited their attending endocrinologist less often, while patients aged 60-79 years - in 64.0% of cases. Irregular visits to their doctor led to a significant decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism in this category of respondents and is the reason for their development of acute and late complications of the disease. Currently, 46.0% of the respondents have not achieved compensation for carbohydrate metabolism. The lack of achievement of glycemic targets is noted in 51.4% of urban residents and 36.4% of rural residents, as well as in 63.5% of working patients. This category of patients is currently at an increased risk of complications.
Conclusion: The results obtained require a medical and social assessment and special attention from doctors and the endocrinological service of the region and can serve as a basis for developing a strategy for effective medical support in such clinical scenarios. Adherence of patients with diabetes mellitus to treatment and clinical recommendations for self-control, as well as regular visits to an endocrinologist, will contribute to achieving glycemic targets and preventing the development of late complications of diabetes mellitus.