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Is elevated blood glucose at admission associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients?

Mariana Barbosa1, Juliana Marques-Sá2, Carla Carvalho3

  • 1Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal, marianamb013@gmail.com.

Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism
|June 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

High blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients indicate a higher risk of severe outcomes and mortality. This association persists even in patients without diabetes, underscoring the importance of glucose monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia is a potential risk factor for adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • Understanding the association between blood glucose levels and COVID-19 severity is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between blood glucose levels at admission (BGA) and disease outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
  • To determine if hyperglycemia impacts mortality and severity indicators in COVID-19 patients, including those without diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 202 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to a Portuguese hospital.
  • Patients categorized by blood glucose levels at admission (BGA < 140 mg/dL vs. ≥ 140 mg/dL).
  • Statistical analysis performed to compare outcomes between groups, including mortality, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit admission.

Main Results:

  • Patients with BGA ≥ 140 mg/dL were older, had more comorbidities, and exhibited higher inflammatory markers.
  • Hyperglycemia was significantly associated with increased rates of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, shock, and in-hospital and 30-day mortality.
  • Even in non-diabetic patients, hyperglycemia was linked to indicators of severity and poor outcomes, including mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia at admission is a significant predictor of poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
  • The association between hyperglycemia and adverse outcomes is evident even in patients without pre-existing diabetes.
  • Routine glycemic testing is recommended for all COVID-19 patients to identify those at higher risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
HyperglycemiaSARS-CoV-2complicationsprognosis

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