Search

Meaningful engagement of people living with health conditions means actively incorporating them in all stages of health decision-making. Despite efforts by global health agencies and governments towards meaningful engagement of people living with noncommunicable diseases (PLWNCDs), many opportunities for participation are tokenistic. PLWNCDs often report feeling excluded from technical discussions and outnumbered by other stakeholders. Participation in decision-making is a human right, and PLWNCDs must continue advocating for a "nothing about us without us" approach. They should be respected as decision-makers with voice, agency, voting power, rights, and duties. This article highlights four key themes: (1) both tokenistic participation and exclusion of PLWNCDs from technical discussions are still common; (2) the "patient" label implies passivity and can perpetuate limited participation, whereas the identifier of PLWNCDs connotes valuable knowledge associated with lived experience; (3) meaningful participation of PLWNCDs in health decision-making processes should be considered a human right; (4) PLWNCD should be empowered to continue to advocate for inclusion and be respected as decision-makers., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Objectives: This study aimed to collect information about oral health knowledge and the habits of people living with diabetes (PwD), primarily type 1 diabetes, using the newly developed World Health Organisation Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults (Annex 7)., Materials and Methods: Comparable and reliable questionnaires, comprising 23 questions for PwD, were sent to diabetes social media groups, mailing lists, and associations. The survey explored the relationships amongst demographic factors, age, dental education, eating habits, and other factors., Results: The 23-question survey was answered by 307 individuals from 60 different countries. Alcohol and tobacco use, dental anxiety, and bad habits were often reported. Of the participants, 61.2% (n = 188) had at least 1 drink during the past 30 days. Of the participants, 22.8% (n = 70) were smokers. In total, 80.8% (n = 248) of the participants consumed biscuits, 76.2% (n = 234) consumed sweets, and 63.2% (n = 194) consumed soft drinks regularly. A total of 26.4% (n = 81) of the participants reported being afraid of dental treatment. Of the participants, 48.5% (n = 149) reported dry mouth and other oral complications. The frequency of visits to the dentist was satisfactory. A total of 71.3% (n = 219) of the participants reported visiting a dentist during the past 12 months., Conclusions: There is a need for proper oral health education for PwD. Trained diabetes advocates could be core messengers. However, interdisciplinary cooperation is mandatory for both education and the clinical aspect of diabetes care. For example, diabetes nurses need to be educated with the help of dentists or oral hygienists., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None disclosed., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

COVID-19 has gravely threatened high-risk populations, such as people with diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases, leading to disproportionate hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. It is well documented from previous outbreaks that diabetes increases the risk for poor outcomes due to SARS infection. In the present review, we bring evidence that the country and global level health crisis caused by COVID-19 could have been avoided or extremely minimized if measures to protect high-risk populations were implemented timely. In addition to general lockdowns, testing, tracing, isolation and hygiene measures, other specific interventions for diabetes and comorbidities management were shown crucial to allow the continuation of care services during the pandemic. These interventions included: teleconsultation, digital remote education andmonitoring, e-prescriptions, medicine delivery options, mobile clinics, and home point-of-care tests. In conclusion, we recommend prompt actions to protect the most vulnerable groups, valuing knowledge and experiences from previous outbreaks and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to shield communities, health systems and the global economy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: The present observational study aims to describe political actions in place to combat COVID-19 in the South and Central America region (SACA) while protecting individuals with diabetes., Methods: A survey with 12 questions was shared with all IDF-SACA member organizations, in 18 countries. A descriptive analysis was performed and a multivariate cluster analysis technique pam (partitioning around medoids) was applied., Results: Two groups of countries were identified. The first group, mostly countries with stricter measures to contain the spread of the virus, reported more difficulties (limitations in accessing basic or health needs) and fears (concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic); whereas most of the second group consisted of countries with less restrictive measures, and reported fewer difficulties. Only 37% responded that a policy was put into place to protect individuals with diabetes, either delivering their medicines and supplies at home (16%) or providing them at once enough for 2-3 months (21%). All respondents reported that one of the main fear was to "be infected and not to receive adequate treatment" and/or "getting infected if going to the hospital or medical appointments"., Conclusion: Most of the SACA countries failed to implement timely measures to protect individuals with diabetes, which may severely impact individuals, health systems and economies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study aims at identifying main barriers faced by people living with diabetes in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: In a convenience sampling study, data were collected from 1701 individuals, aged 18 or above; 75.54% female participants; 60.73% T1D and 30.75% T2D, between April 22nd and May 4th, using an anonymous and untraceable survey containing 20 multiple choice questions (socio-demographic; health status and habits of life during COVID-19 pandemic). Relationship between variables was established using the multiple correspondence analysis technique., Results: 95.1% of respondents reduced their frequency of going outside of their homes; among those who monitored blood glucose at home during the pandemic (91.5%), the majority (59.4%) experienced an increase, a decrease or a higher variability in glucose levels; 38.4% postponed their medical appointments and/or routine examinations; and 59.5% reduced their physical activity. T1D, the youngest group, was more susceptible to presenting COVID-19 symptoms despite not being testing; whilst the T2D group had higher frequency of comorbidities that are additional risk factors for COVID-19 severity., Conclusions: This study provides a first hand revelation of the severity of COVID-19 on individuals with diabetes in Brazil. Their habits were altered, which impacted their glycemia, potentially increasing the risk of poor outcomes and mortality if infected by SARS-CoV-2, and of acute and chronic diabetes complications., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present article, we explore the risks of circadian disruptions and impact on the sleep-wake cycle of individuals with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic. The association between the duration and quality of sleep and the stability of glucose levels is well-established. Therefore, during the pandemic with changes and limitations in the exposure to cyclic cues that entrain the circadian rhythms, such as light-dark and social interactions, we hypothesize that the power and stability of circadian rhythms decrease if measures are not taken to intentionally create a routine that includes zeitgebers. Knowing that sleep-wake cycle disruptions impair melatonin production, immune system response and glucose metabolism, and that individuals with diabetes are at higher risk for poor prognosis when infected by SARS-CoV-2 (especially if their blood glucose is out of target), we recommend monitoring and advising these individuals towards strategies to maintain adequate sleep quality and duration as part of their preventive and protective measures during the new pandemic routine.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the peripheral temperature rhythmicity and control in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus., Methods: Twelve non-obese adults (20-40 years old) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and eight control individuals, matched for age and BMI, wore a wrist temperature recorder for 10 consecutive days. Recorded data were aggregated to calculate M10 (ten hours of highest temperature) and L5 (five hours of lowest temperature) of wrist temperature values for both groups., Results: Mean wrist temperature and M10 were not different when comparing the groups. The wrist temperature amplitude was reduced in the T1D group ( p =0.039), due to a higher L5 ( p =0.038)., Discussion: While the higher L5 observed in T1D could be explained by less efficient heat dissipation, the amplitude flattening coincides with that observed in elderly.