Analyzing the Association of COVID-19 Vaccination with Changes Among Individuals with Diabetes and Obesity: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis Among Indianapolis Metropolitan Residents

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was detrimental in a multitude of aspects of health. One specific area of research that was touched on but not to a greater extent was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical visits for those with other comorbidities. In relation to this dissertation, the focus is to highlight the impact COVID-19 vaccines had on A1C levels and weight before and after vaccine availability. Methods: A retrospective cohort was designed by selecting residents from Indianapolis metropolitan hospitals who were diagnosed with diabetes or obesity prior to January of 2019. The study period began in 2019 right before the COVID-19 pandemic and ended in December of 2022. Descriptive statistics were computed to display the difference in proportions of all covariates by vaccine status. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to test for the potential association between those who were vaccinated and lower on average AIC level or average weight in kilograms by end of study compared to those not vaccinated. Separate confounding and interaction testing were conducted as well on all other covariates individually with vaccine status. Results: Those that were not vaccinated had a 0.11 greater AIC level by end of study compared to those that were vaccinated and while controlling for all other covariates was still 0.29 with the largest statistically significant confounder being diabetes at 0.30. Those that were not vaccinated had a 4.04 kilograms greater average weight by end of study compared to those that were vaccinated and while controlling for all other covariates was still 0.92 kilograms heavier among the non-diabetic group. Those that were not vaccinated had a 6.36-kilogram greater average weight by end of study compared to those that were vaccinated and while controlling for all other covariates was still 3.40 kilograms heavier among the diabetic group. Conclusion: This study helps quantify the relationship between COVID vaccine status and A1C/weight management. More research is warranted to further observe these health outcomes beyond the height of the pandemic.