Effects of pre-existing type-2 diabetes mellitus on COVID-19 disease outcomes: A retrospective study at a tertiary care hospital in central Karnataka

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 disease has posed unprecedented challenges to patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Diabetes increases risk of hospitalization, admission to ICU and mortality from COVID-19. Present study was conducted to understand impact of diabetes mellitus on mortality and other clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: It was a retrospective study based on review of medical records of COVID-19 patients aged ≥18 years treated on in-patient basis at a tertiary hospital. Patients’ COVID disease severity and in-hospital outcomes, pre-existing comorbidities, course of disease during hospital stay, baseline glycaemic levels, laboratory findings and treatment provided at the hospital were noted. Results: Prevalence of DM was 26.8%. Severe COVID disease and mortality were significantly associated with DM. Systemic corticosteroids (92.7%), low molecular weight heparin (90.6%) and antiviral drug remdesevir (67.3%) were mainstay of treatment. d-dimer, CRP, LDH and Ferritin (Q2: 483ng/ml, 6.0mg/dl, 574.9U/L and 780.2 ng/ml respectively) were significantly elevated in diabetic COVID patients. Higher risk of severe COVID disease was found among patients with poor glycaemic control. Conclusion: Impaired glucose regulation in COVID-19 patients increases risk of mortality and morbidity in COVID-19. COVID patients with diabetes mellitus should be managed meticulously as per the standard guidelines to achieve good glycaemic control.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• severe covid-19 disease
• mortality
• hba1c
• fasting blood sugar levels