Table.
Effects of previous natural disasters on people with diabetes
| Name of event | Date of event | Follow-up after disaster | Effects | Population studied | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | |||||
| Kirizuka et al (1997)50 | Kobe earthquake | Jan 17, 1995 | 8 months | Increase in the mean value of HbA1c (8·34% [SD 2·07] in March, 1995 vs 7·74% [1·82] in December, 1994; p<0·01) | 177 people living with diabetes |
| Inui et al (1998)51 | Kobe earthquake | Jan 17, 1995 | From 2 months after event to 1 year after the event | Increase in HbA1c after the disaster (7·44% [SD 0·15] vs 7·64% [0·11], n=110; p<0·01); after the event HbA1c levels peaked at 3–4 months after the earthquake; there was a significant increase in stress-related somatic symptoms, sleep disturbances and anxiety, and social dysfunction | 157 adults (mean age 59·3 years [SD 1·2]) living with diabetes |
| Fujihara et al (2012)52 | Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami | March 11, 2011 | 3 months after event | Worsening glycaemic control Total General Health Questionnaire scores (OR 1·03) and interruption of drug intake (OR 4·48) associated with worsening of glycaemic control | 320 adults (mean age 65 years [SD 13]) with type 2 diabetes |
| Satoh et al (2015)53 | Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami | March 11, 2011 | Up to 1·6 years after event | Increased incidence of diabetes among evacuees (9·3–11·0%; p<0·0001) | 27 486 Japanese adults (mean age 66·3 years [SD 9·4]) |
| Leppold et al (2016)54 | Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami | March 11, 2011 | 4 weeks after event | HbA1c was 6·76 (SD 0·69) in 2010, 6·87 (SD 0·83) in 2011, and 6·93 (SD 0·87) in 2012; the proportion of participants with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥7·0%) increased significantly from 31·9% in 2010 to 41·4% in 2012 (p=0·028) | 404 adults (mean age 71·0 years [SD 10·6]) living with diabetes |
| Kondo et al (2019)55 | Kumamoto earthquake | April 16, 2016 | 13 months after event | No change in glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes; increase in HbA1c after the disaster in people with type 2 diabetes; initially HbA1c decreased by 0·11% at 1–2 months after disaster, but at a later stage it increased (p=0·013) | 557 people living with diabetes |
| USA | |||||
| Quast and Feng (2019)56 | Hurricane Katrina | Aug 23–31, 2005 | 3 years after event | Reduced health-care use, particularly reduced screening for cholesterol disorders | Seniors living with diabetes |
| Fonseca et al (2009)57 | Hurricane Katrina | Aug 23–31, 2005 | 6−16 months after event (March 1–Dec 31, 2006) | Increased HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and LDL; systolic blood pressure increased then declined, HbA1c increased throughout study period; modelling studies found Hurricane Katrina increased direct, indirect, and total health-care costs, and reduced life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy; existing disparities in health, related to socioeconomic status, were exacerbated after the disaster, with potential long-term consequences | 1795 adults (mean age 61·9 years [SD 11·6]) living with diabetes |
| Cefalu et al (2006)58 | Hurricane Katrina | Aug 23–31, 2005 | Days to few weeks after event | Inadequate diabetes supplies; increase in cases of depression; changes in meal composition and pattern | People living with diabetes |
| Quast and Mortensen (2015)59 | Hurricane Katrina | Aug 23–31, 2005 | 2006; 1 year after event | The proportion of children (aged ≤17 years) who received recommended tests (eg, HbA1c, eye exams, and microalbuminuria) fell or grew at a much slower rate compared with control group; the rate of diabetes keto acidosis increased | Children (aged ≤17 years) with diabetes on Medicaid |
| Velez-Valle et al (2016)60 | Hurricane Sandy | Oct 22–Nov 2, 2012 | The week after the event | Increase in emergency department visits | Adults living with diabetes and older adults (>65 years) living with type 2 diabetes |
| Lee et al (2016)61 | Hurricane Sandy | Oct 22–Nov 2, 2012 | First week after event (Oct 29, 2012) | Increase in emergency department visits for all reasons | People living with diabetes |
| Heptulla et al (2016)62 | Hurricane Sandy | Oct 22–Nov 2, 2012 | 3–6 months after event; February–July, 2013 | More symptoms of post-traumatic stress p<0·006 | 142 families caring for children (mean age 13·3 years [SD 2]) with type 1 diabetes on 100% insulin therapy |
| Türkiye | |||||
| Sengül et al (2004)63 | Marmara earthquake | Aug 17, 1999 | ·· | Increased insulin requirements, HbA1c, and decreased quality of life | People with type 1 diabetes |
| Sierra Leone | |||||
| Koroma et al (2019)64 | Ebola outbreak | Dec 26, 2013–June 9, 2016 | June–December, 2015 | Increase in number of people with diabetes | People with non-communicable diseases |
| Puerto Rico | |||||
| Cruz-Cano et al (2019)65 | Hurricane Maria | Sept 20, 2017 | 1 year after event (up to Oct 1, 2017) | Excess deaths due to diabetes | Older people (≥60 years) living with diabetes |
OR=odds ratio.