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Long-term effects of COVID-19 in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Ricardo Wesley Alberca1, Yasmim Álefe Leuzzi Ramos1, Nátalli Zanete Pereira1

  • 1Laboratorio de Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias (LIM-56), Departamento de Dermatologia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Institute de Medicina Tropical da Universidade de Sáo Paulo, Sáo Paulo, Brazil.

Frontiers in Public Health
|September 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 infection may lead to long-term changes in blood sugar levels, even in non-diabetic individuals. This study tracked COVID-19 patients post-recovery, finding elevated blood glucose and HbA1c in those without prior diabetes diagnoses.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Previous research indicates a link between diabetes, inflammation, and coagulation during COVID-19.
  • The long-term effects of COVID-19 on diabetic patients remain under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally analyze COVID-19-associated biomarkers in patients with and without diabetes.
  • To assess potential long-term complications following COVID-19 recovery.
  • To evaluate changes in glycemic control and inflammatory markers three and six months post-infection.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 128 patients for a longitudinal study.
  • Monitored COVID-19-associated biomarkers at three and six months post-recovery.
  • Assessed glycemic control (glycemia, glycated hemoglobin) and beta-cell function (c-peptide test).

Main Results:

  • No significant long-term modifications in inflammatory biomarkers were observed.
  • Non-diabetic patients showed increased glycemia and glycated hemoglobin post-COVID-19.
  • Both diabetic and non-diabetic patients exhibited elevated glycated hemoglobin levels.
  • C-peptide tests confirmed normal beta-cell function across all participants.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 may induce transient or lasting alterations in glucose metabolism, particularly in non-diabetic individuals.
  • Elevated glycated hemoglobin post-COVID-19 warrants further investigation into potential long-term metabolic complications.
  • Beta-cell function appears preserved in most patients after COVID-19, irrespective of diabetes status.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2complicationsglycemic controlinfection

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