loading page

Diabetes in COVID-19 pandemic-prevalence, patient characteristics and adverse outcomes.
  • Ahmed Hafiz,
  • demelza emmerton,
  • Alan Sinclair
Ahmed Hafiz

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
demelza emmerton
Author Profile
Alan Sinclair
King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine
Author Profile

Abstract

Abstract Background: Current literature on COVID-19 pandemic has identified diabetes as a common comorbidity in patients affected. However, the evidence that diabetes increases the risk of infection, effect of diabetes on outcomes and characteristics of patients at risk is not clear. Objectives: To explore the prevalence of diabetes in COVID-19 pandemic, effect of diabetes on clinical outcomes and to characterise the patients with diabetes affected by COVID-19. Methods: A literature review of articles published in English language and reported outcomes on prevalence and effect of diabetes on outcomes and patients characteristics. Results: The prevalence of diabetes in COVID-19 patients appears similar to that in the general population. The evidence of diabetes increasing the risk of severe infection and adverse outcomes is substantial. The progression of the disease into acute respiratory distress syndrome, the requirement for intensive care admission or mechanical ventilation and mortality all have been increased by the presence of diabetes. Patients with diabetes at risk of COVID-19 appear to be obese, of older age, have uncontrolled glycaemia and have coexisting comorbidities especially cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Tight glycaemic control on admission to hospital using insulin infusion has shown some beneficial effects however, the role of hypoglycaemic medications in the management of these patients is not yet clear. Conclusion: High risk group should be identified and prioritised in future vaccination programmes. Future research is required to optimise management of patients with diabetes and develop new ways to manage them via technological developments such as telecare.
19 Jul 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
21 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
21 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
22 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Nov 20201st Revision Received
28 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
28 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
28 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Accept