Impact of Hurricane Matthew on Diabetes Self-Management and Outcomes

Individuals with diabetes require extensive self-management. Little is known about how Hurricane Matthew (Matthew) or Hurricane Florence (Florence) impacted diabetes self-management and outcomes in Robeson County, North Carolina.

Mixed methods were used to assess the impact of hurricanes on diabetes self-management and outcomes. Individuals with diabetes were recruited for focus groups to understand the perceived impact on diabetes self-management. Health care providers were recruited for parallel key informant interviews. Mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from hospital data six months before and after Matthew were compared using Student t-tests.

A demographic breakdown of 34.25% white, 21.70% Black or African American, and 21.38% American Indian or Alaska Native was observed from focus groups. Qualitative results highlight a limited access to a balanced diet and medications. No significant differences were found between mean HbA1c values before and after Matthew (before Matthew: mean HbA1c 8.34 ± 1.87%; after Matthew: mean HbA1c 8.31 ± 1.93 %; P = .366). The period prevalence (PP) of DKA was higher after Matthew than before (before Matthew: 39 cases out of 4,025 visits, PP = .010; after Matthew: 87 cases out of 3,779 visits, PP = .023; P <.0001).

Limitations include non-random sampling and limited sample sizes. Also, the cross-sectional panel approach did not follow the same individuals over time.

The period prevalence of DKA was higher in the six-month time period following Matthew compared to before the hurricane. Future interventions may improve outcomes via increased access to foods and medications recommended for those with diabetes.