Impacts of the <scp>G</scp> reat <scp>E</scp> ast <scp>J</scp> apan <scp>E</scp> arthquake on diabetic patients

Aims/Introduction We investigated impacts of the Great East Japan Earthquake on diabetic patients and characterized those with disaster-susceptible diabetes. Materials and Methods We enrolled 497 diabetic patients who had been followed at hospitals in devastated areas. We collected metabolic parameters prospectively, 1 and 3 months after the earthquake, and retrospectively for pre-earthquake time-points. Questionnaire surveys were carried out regarding earthquake-related damage and post-earthquake lifestyle alterations. Available data were analyzed to examine associations with post-earthquake glycosylated hemoglobin alterations. Results The mean glycosylated hemoglobin level of the participants was not elevated at 1 month, and was significantly decreased at 3 months as compared with the pre-earthquake glycosylated hemoglobin. There were no significant differences in earthquake-related damage or lifestyle alterations between the improved and worsened glycemic control groups according to the data obtained from the questionnaire survey. As reported, fasting serum C-peptide levels were significantly lower in the worsened glycemic control group (P