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Effects of poor glycemic control on mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease

H Ergenc1, Z Ergenc

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ayancik Government Hospital, Sinop, Turkey. dr.hasanergenc@hotmail.com.

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|June 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Poor glycemic control in diabetic patients with COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of severe disease and mortality. Maintaining good blood sugar levels is crucial for better outcomes in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Severe COVID-19 disproportionately affects patients with comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders.
  • Effective glycemic control is recognized as a key strategy to mitigate COVID-19 progression in diabetic individuals.
  • The potential of glycemic status as an early predictive biomarker for COVID-19 severity in diabetic patients warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between glycemic control status and COVID-19 severity in diabetic patients.
  • To determine if glycemic control can serve as a predictive biomarker for disease progression and mortality in diabetic COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study involving 122 patients (40 with poor glycemic control, 40 with reasonable glycemic control, 42 without diabetes) was conducted.
  • Patient data, including demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters (e.g., HbA1c), were collected and analyzed.
  • Groups were compared based on disease severity and mortality rates.

Main Results:

  • A significant difference in disease severity was observed across groups (p < 0.001), with 72.5% of poorly controlled diabetics experiencing severe disease.
  • Mortality rates also differed significantly (p = 0.008), with 17.5% of poorly controlled diabetics succumbing to the infection.
  • Patients with reasonable glycemic control and those without diabetes showed considerably lower rates of severe disease and mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Poor glycemic control is a significant indicator of increased disease severity and mortality in diabetic patients with COVID-19.
  • Glycemic control status can effectively predict COVID-19 progression and outcomes in this patient population.
  • Emphasizing optimal glycemic management is crucial for improving prognosis in diabetic individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Abstract

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