Factors Associated With Examinations for Diabetic Complications During the COVID-19 Epidemic

This study investigated examinations for diabetes complications and associated factors during the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea. We used data from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey (n = 28 477). Overall, 42.7% underwent fundus examination, and 51.7% underwent microalbuminuria examination. Factors associated with increased rates of fundus examination were increased physical activity due to COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, 95% CI [1.02, 1.32]), decreased consumption of instant food (OR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.03, 1.41]), decreased alcohol drinking frequency (OR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.01, 1.53]), concern about COVID-19 infection (OR = 1.11, 95% CI [1.02, 1.20]), and COVID-19 vaccination experience (OR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.07, 1.34]). Factors associated with increased rates of microalbuminuria examination were decreased consumption of instant food decreased due to COVID-19 (OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.00, 1.36]) and concern about criticism due to infection with COVID-19 (OR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.00, 1.20]). These results may be useful in planning for the management of chronic diseases during future periods of increased hospital workload.