Syndemic due to COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a dangerous interaction

Abstract

Background: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered an important risk factor for mortality in patients infected by respiratory viruses, included SARS-CoV-2. The interaction of both diseases can be considered as a syndemic.Objective: to describe the pathophysiological characteristics and the molecular bases that hold the interaction of T2DM and COVID-19 as a part of a syndemic.Methods: a review of the scientific literature on the topic was carried out. The following bibliographic and date bases were consulted: MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO and LILACS. In the search and information analysis the following terms were used: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, type 2 diabetes mellitus and infection. There were no restrictions on language.Results: the coincidence of T2DM and COVID-19 is not only a comorbidity in affected patients; there is a scientific support for their interaction. This is more evident in some contexts, due to the social aspect and the socioeconomic conditions of the affected people. The high levels of glycemia may increase the expression of the receptors that make possible the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 to cells. Diabetic patients have an innate compromised immune response. Diabetes and hyperglycemia are risk factors for a worse prognosis of the progress of COVID-19.Conclusions: in the scientific literature there are evidences that hold the interaction between T2DM and COVID-19 as part of a syndemic.

Keywords

• covid-19
• coronavirus infections
• diabetes mellitus
• sars virus
• syndemic