Stefan Bornstein, MD: Adherence Concerns for Diabetic Patients

Outside of the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many clinicians are concerned over whether patients with type 2 diabetes are adhering to their treatment regimens during the ongoing pandemic.

While the risk for severe outcomes is elevated in these patients and are vulnerable to mortality from the virus, a lack of medical adherence is also a concern.

In an interview with HCPLive®, Stefan Bornstein, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes at the Technical University at Dresden, said limb amputations for patients with type 2 diabetes have increased by 30% in just a few months.

Bornstein said this increase is largely attributed to a decrease in medication adherence.

He also explained once vaccines are widely available, diabetic patients should be considered a high-risk group and be given priority for the available vaccinations.

Recently, Bornstein presented new data during the 18th World Congress of Insulin Resistance Diabetes & Cardiovascular (WCIRDC) Online CME Conference, sponsored by the Metabolic Institute of America (TMIOA).

Bornstein’s presentation focuses on the severity of the viral infections and hyperglycemia and uncontrolled diabetes. He explained it is still unknown why there is such an association between this patient population and COVID-19 outcomes.