Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Diabetes in the COVID-19 pandemic era
Teresa Cristina Piscitelli Bonansea1, Letícia Paulo Dos Santos2, Karen Zintl2
1Faculdade de Medicina de Santo Amaro, Departamento de Clínica Médica - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
Objective:
To analyze the association between patients with diabetes mellitus and the increased severity and its complications that arise with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
Methods:
This is a complementary review of literature in which 14 articles published in 2020 were selected. These reviewed articles were written in both Portuguese and English available in the SciELO and PubMed databases. This review also involved searching on websites of international and national organizations in order to gather information published by these bodies about diabetic population and coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-infected individuals.
Discussion:
The presence of comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals causes an increase in the expression level of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, facilitating the entry of the virus into the cell. Diabetes causes metabolic and vascular changes, thus weakening the immune system through the inhibition of the innate immune system and the secretion of various inflammatory cytokines. This hyperinflammation can lead to multiple organ failure. The interaction between this comorbidity and COVID-19 can worsen pre-existing diabetes or predispose the onset of diabetes in non-diabetic individuals.
Conclusions:
Diabetes mellitus is related to the increased severity and complications of COVID-19. The association between diabetes and COVID-19 creates a devastating double pandemic, as it worsens the prognosis of COVID-19.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...

