Latest research has found that 60,000 people were living with type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUKPC), Professor Martin Rutter, Honorary Consultant Physician at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, highlighted the major impact COVID-19 had on diabetes care.
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During his session at DUKPC2023, he said: “The rate of diagnosing type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped off a cliff.”
Between March and December 2020, there was 7.4 million fewer health care checks in UK general practices, the study has reported.
In addition, the research found that 31,800 fewer people were prescribed new diabetes medication during the first year of the pandemic.
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According to the study, the number of new blood pressure lowering medication prescriptions also dropped by 14,600 during this time period.
Professor Martin Rutter’s research was presented at the Diabetes UK Annual Conference which took place in Liverpool.
