Diabetes Mellitus Control and Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine in Mongolia: Retrospective Study

Main Article Content

Dorjbalam Gansukh
Byambasuren Dashnyam
Anar Bayarmunkh
Purevsod Lkhagvasuren
Anujin Tuvshinjargal
Amarzaya Batchimed
Margad Tuguldur
Baigal Narantuya
Jargaltulga Ulziijargal
Namuun Dorjsurenkhor
Khatanzaya Sukhgerel
Oyuntugs Byambasukh

Abstract

Introduction


Reduction in outpatient visits and laboratory testing during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about gaps in diabetes management and glycemic control.


Objective


We aimed to investigate the changes in the treatment and control of people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.


Method


106 glycemic control patients from three districts of six general hospitals in Ulaanbaatar were randomly selected as applicants, and permission and questionnaires were obtained through telephone contact. The questionnaire was developed based on the "Diabetes Guidelines" issued by the Ministry of Health of Mongolia. These findings include average blood glucose (BG) of fasting BG, 2-h postprandial BG, and bedtime to assess diabetes control. The main evaluation indicators included drug supply, shortage, and adherence to self-management behaviors.


Result


In total, 72.7% of participants were Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and 83.3% of them were poorly controlled. 81.5% of the Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) participants had inadequate glycemic control. We retrospectively estimated the glycemic control using their previous HbA1c results. It shows that 70% and 72% of them were adversely controlled before the isolation although 79.7% of the respondents contacted their healthcare providers during the isolation period. All participants stopped treatment for an average of 50 ± 62.7 (p<0.05) days during the isolation period, 59% of which were due to drug supply and shortages,  41% due to isolation, and had to postpone. The average BG level before isolation was 8.4±6.9 mmol/l, the highest was 19.6±10.2 mmol/l, and during the isolation, the period was 8.9±5.3 mmol/l, the highest was 19.6±10.8 mmol/l. The maximum value is 50 mmol/l.


Conclusion


We need to develop telemedicine in Mongolia as a healthcare service. We conclude that glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus during quarantine is substandard.

Article Details

How to Cite
Gansukh, D., Dashnyam, B., Bayarmunkh, A., Lkhagvasuren, P. ., Tuvshinjargal, A., Batchimed, A., Tuguldur, M., Narantuya, B. ., Ulziijargal, J., Dorjsurenkhor, N. ., Sukhgerel, K. and Byambasukh, . O. (2022) “Diabetes Mellitus Control and Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine in Mongolia: Retrospective Study”, Journal of Asian Medical Students’ Association. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Available at: https://jamsa.amsa-international.org/index.php/main/article/view/387 (Accessed: 29March2024).
Section
Scientific Papers (AMSC 2024 Japan)
Author Biographies

Dorjbalam Gansukh, +976 94111588

School of Medicine, Mongolian National Univerisity of Medical Sciences

Byambasuren Dashnyam, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Anar Bayarmunkh, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Purevsod Lkhagvasuren, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Anujin Tuvshinjargal, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Amarzaya Batchimed, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Margad Tuguldur, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Baigal Narantuya, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Jargaltulga Ulziijargal, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Medical Student

Oyuntugs Byambasukh, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

MD., PhD

Department of Endocrinology

References

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