Metabolic indicators associated with non-communicable diseases deteriorated in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak: evidence from a two-center, retrospective, self-controlled study

Abstract Background The current double epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and their vicious circle relationship causes adverse health effects at the population level and, at the same time, places a tremendous burden on the health care system. Our study aimed to investigate whether the metabolic indicators associated with NCDs in the general population have changed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Results We conducted a retrospective self-controlled study enrolling adult participants who received baseline test for metabolic indicators related to NCDs during January 1, 2019 and April 30, 2019 and were followed up on metabolic indicators in the same period in 2020. The follow-up total cholesterol was significantly increased than that of the baseline (4.73 (4.05, 5.46) mmol/L vs 4.71 (4.05, 5.43) mmol/L, p = 0.019; n = 3379). Similar results were observed in triglyceride (1.29 (0.91, 1.88) vs 1.25 (0.87, 1.81) mmol/L, p < 0.001; n = 3381), uric acid (330.0 (272.0, 397.0) vs 327.0 (271.0, 389.0) umol/L, p < 0.001; n = 3364), and glycosylated hemoglobin (6.50 (6.10, 7.30) vs 6.50 (6.10, 7.20) %, p = 0.013; n = 532). No significant difference was observed in low density lipoprotein, body mass index and blood pressure. Conclusions Metabolic indicators associated with non-communicable diseases deteriorated in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. We should take action to prevent and control non-communicable diseases without delay.