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Study of HbA1c levels in non-diabetic individuals recovered from Covid-19
Sainithesh Gandikota1, Kothapalle Sowmya Sudha2, Madhavi Latha Naramalli3
1Department of Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital, Sri Venkateshwara Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Insights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection significantly impacts glycemic control. Post-Covid-19, previously non-diabetic individuals show increased risks of developing diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection and metabolic disturbances.
- Glycemic control is a critical aspect of metabolic health, and its alteration post-infection warrants investigation.
- Individuals previously without diabetes may be at risk for developing dysglycemia after Covid-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess glycemic control by estimating Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in individuals over 40 years old.
- To evaluate the impact of Covid-19 infection on blood glucose regulation in previously non-diabetic adults.
- To determine the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes post-Covid-19 infection.
Main Methods:
- An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals who recovered from Covid-19.
- Participants included home-isolated, hospitalized, and discharged patients, recruited via simple random sampling.
- Data collected included socio-demographic profiles, HbA1c, random blood sugar (RBS), and infection severity, analyzed using SPSS.
Main Results:
- The study population (aged 40-60 years) comprised 60% females; most were previously healthy.
- 58% had normal HbA1c levels, 32% were borderline diabetic, and 10% developed diabetes post-Covid-19.
- 92% had normal RBS, with no significant association found between hypertension and elevated blood sugar post-infection.
Conclusions:
- Covid-19 infection significantly impacts blood sugar levels and glycemic control in previously non-diabetic individuals.
- A notable proportion of individuals transitioned to diabetic or pre-diabetic states following Covid-19 infection.
- The findings highlight the need for monitoring glycemic status in individuals recovering from Covid-19.
Objectives:
To study the glycemic control by estimating HbA1c levels among previously non-diabetic individuals aged above 40 years, who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection.
Materials And Methods:
This is an analytical cross-sectional study of people affected with Covid-19 infection, who were home-isolated, hospitalized, and discharged. The simple random sampling technique was used for the study group. Tirupati City, Andhra Pradesh State, India. We assessed socio-demographic profiles, hba1c levels, RBS, and severity of infection. The obtained laboratory reports were analyzed by using means and proportions after entering data in MS Excel and converted to SPSS software new version.
Results:
The study participants comprised mostly middle age group males and females (mostly 40-60 years, with 60% of them being females). Most of the study subjects were healthy, and 58% of them have normal hba1c levels. 32% of them are in border line diabetic. The prevalence of diabetes post Covid-19 infection is 10%. The majority of participants have normal random blood sugar levels (around 92%), and very less individuals have abnormal random blood sugar levels (2% of the subjects). There is no significant association between hypertension and raised blood sugar levels post Covid-19 infection.
Conclusions:
Based on the study, Covid-19 infection has an impact on blood sugar levels and altered glycemic control, switching a few individuals into diabetic and a significant number of individuals into the pre-diabetic state, who are non-diabetic individuals before Covid-19 infection.
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