Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jul 2022)

Prediabetes Induces More Severe Acute COVID-19 Associated With IL-6 Production Without Worsening Long-Term Symptoms

  • Icaro Bonyek-Silva,
  • Icaro Bonyek-Silva,
  • Icaro Bonyek-Silva,
  • Icaro Bonyek-Silva,
  • Thiago Cerqueira-Silva,
  • Thiago Cerqueira-Silva,
  • Sara Nunes,
  • Sara Nunes,
  • Antônio Fernando Araújo Machado,
  • Márcio Rivison Silva Cruz,
  • Blenda Pereira,
  • Blenda Pereira,
  • Leilane Estrela,
  • Jéssica Silva,
  • Jéssica Silva,
  • Ananda Isis,
  • Aldina Barral,
  • Aldina Barral,
  • Aldina Barral,
  • Pablo Rafael Silveira Oliveira,
  • Ricardo Khouri,
  • Ricardo Khouri,
  • C. Henrique Serezani,
  • Cláudia Brodskyn,
  • Cláudia Brodskyn,
  • Cláudia Brodskyn,
  • Juliana Ribeiro Caldas,
  • Juliana Ribeiro Caldas,
  • Juliana Ribeiro Caldas,
  • Manoel Barral-Netto,
  • Manoel Barral-Netto,
  • Manoel Barral-Netto,
  • Viviane Boaventura,
  • Viviane Boaventura,
  • Natalia Machado Tavares,
  • Natalia Machado Tavares,
  • Natalia Machado Tavares

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.896378
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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AimsPre-existing conditions, such as age, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, constitute known risk factors for severe COVID-19. However, the impact of prediabetes mellitus (PDM) on COVID-19 severity is less clear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of PDM in the acute and long-term phases of COVID-19.Materials and methodsWe compared inflammatory mediators, laboratory and clinical parameters and symptoms in COVID-19 patients with prediabetes (PDM) and without diabetes (NDM) during the acute phase of infection and at three months post-hospitalization.ResultsPatients with PDM had longer hospital stays and required intensive care unit admission more frequently than NDM. Upon hospitalization, PDM patients exhibited higher serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), which is related to reduced partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and increased COVID-19 severity. However, at three months after discharge, those with PDM did not exhibit significant alterations in laboratory parameters or residual symptoms; however, PDM was observed to influence the profile of reported symptoms.ConclusionsPDM seems to be associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19, as well as higher serum levels of IL-6, which may constitute a potential biomarker of severe COVID-19 risk in affected patients. Furthermore, while PDM correlated with more severe acute-phase COVID-19, no long-term worsening of sequelae was observed.

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