Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

ype 1 diabetes is unique among chronic diseases of children and adolescents in terms of the complexity of treatment and level of family involvement required for successful management. Children and young people with diabetes are at a greater risk for emotional and behavioral problems, in addition to psychological aspect of the disease. Diabetic patients appear to have a greater incidence of depression, anxiety, psychological distress and eating disorders. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across the globe, posing a significant threat to the health of the population and creating a significant challenge for health systems, pediatric and adolescent diabetic patients are vulnerable and fragile group at increased susceptibility to infections and increased morbidity and mortality, as hyperglycemia may increase the virulence of different pathogens. They are exposed to increase levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the outbreak, together with the fear of being infected, or parents and relatives being infected. The aim this study was to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic (depression, anxiety symptoms, quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder) on children and adolescents with T1DM as they are already at risk of psychological problems.