Compare diabetes care patterns by primary care accessibility during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with or at risk of DM during the COVID-19 pandemic, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Panel 24
- Exposure
- Low vs high primary care provider availability areas
- Outcome
- Diabetes care processes, quality and outcomes during the pandemic
Methodological detailsMedical Expenditure Panel Survey Panel 24 merged with 2019 County Health Rankings, multivariable models adjusted for demographics, insurance status and COVID-19 diagnosis
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Panel 24 merged with 2019 County Health Rankings
- Multivariable models adjusted for demographics, insurance status and COVID-19 diagnosis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- HbA1c testing, foot and retinal examinations decreased during the pandemic in both groups, with much more pronounced declines in low primary care providers (PCP) density areas
- Frequency of attending group classes in low PCP areas dropped nearly 80% (largest change)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Initiation of oral diabetes medications (as opposed to insulin)
P = 0.015
Factors associated with new DM, new kidney disease and diet modification
- Older age and new DM, HR
- 1.05
- Older age and new kidney disease, HR
- 1.04
- Older age and starting diet modification, HR
- 0.99
- Female and DM incidents, HR
- 0.69
- Non-Hispanic white and DM incidents, HR
- 0.60
Original publication
Compare diabetes care patterns by primary care accessibility during the COVID ‐19 pandemic. Diabet Med. Published 3 August 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →