Objectives
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a non-communicable chronic disease of increasing prevalence and positively associated with physical inactivity and obesity. The aim was to investigate the magnitude of regional health inequalities in the prevalence of T2 DM in the Greek population, before and during the pandemic using geospatial data.
Methods
Data from the DM registry of the National Health Insurance Organization, Unique National Insurance Numbers for the years 2019 and 2020, were correlated with counties’ geospatial data, leveraging Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Subsequently, thematic maps were developed using gender and age-specific DM2 data.
Results
The prevalence of DM in the Greek population in 2019 was 499,2 patients per 10.000 people (5,38% of the total population). In 2020 the corresponding prevalence increased by 20% and was estimated at 606 patients/10.000 people i.e. (6.06% of the total population). The prevalence of DM2 increased by 21.46% and by 19.13% in men and women, respectively. A substantial increase was observed in young of 15-24 years of age (from 1.98/10.000 population in 2019 to 3.16/10.000 population). Considering the effects of the economic crisis on the prevalence of DM in Greece we found the highest increase in the islandic regions (Dodecanese 30%, Zakinthos 28.8%, Samos 25.9%, Corfu 25.7%, Kyklades 25.2%). When hotspot analysis was applied a significant clustering of high prevalence in women in Northern Greece was identified.
Conclusions
COVID-19 pandemic appears to have a catalytic negative effect on the population of Greece with increased prevalence of DM, especially among the youth. The lockdown, the increased unemployment rates of the young population, the closure of many diabetic clinics, the limitation of appointments in certified diabetic clinics as well as the transformation of hospitals into COVID-19 clinics disrupted significantly the function of health services. The results reveal the significant deterioration of diabetes health status in Greece due to COVID-19 pandemic.