Hospital Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis from the UAE
Yehia S Mohamed1,2, Mamoun Mukhtar3, Akrem Elmalti4
1Department of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Diabetic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 experienced worse outcomes, including higher mortality and longer hospital stays. Effective diabetes management is crucial for improving COVID-19 patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists on COVID-19 outcomes for hospitalized diabetic patients.
- Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a significant comorbidity impacting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection course.
- Understanding these disparities is crucial for targeted interventions during pandemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate in-hospital mortality and morbidity in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
- To compare clinical outcomes including length of stay, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation needs.
- To provide data from the Northern UAE Emirates to inform clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from COVID-19 patients admitted between March 2020 and April 2021.
- Inclusion criteria: patients with or without Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
- Endpoints assessed: all-cause in-hospital mortality, hospitalization duration, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation.
Main Results:
- 335 out of 427 (78.5%) patients had DM.
- Diabetic patients had significantly longer hospital stays (OR=2.35) and higher ICU admission rates (OR=4.50).
- In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in diabetic patients (OR=2.26) compared to nondiabetics; mechanical ventilation rates were similar.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes Mellitus is associated with a more severe COVID-19 course.
- Diabetic COVID-19 patients face increased mortality, longer hospitalizations, and higher ICU admission rates.
- Strict DM control is vital for mitigating adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
Background:
Although we are four years into the pandemic, there is still conflicting evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of diabetic patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the in-hospital mortality and morbidity of diabetic versus nondiabetic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Northern UAE Emirates.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) who were admitted to the isolation hospital with COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the disease (March 2020 to April 2021). The assessed endpoints were all-cause in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation.
Results:
A total of 427 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 335 (78.5%) had DM. Compared to nondiabetics, diabetic COVID-19 patients had a significantly longer in-hospital stay (odds ratio (OR) = 2.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-4.62; p = 0.014), and a significantly higher frequency of ICU admission (OR = 4.50; 95% CI = 1.66-7.34; p = 0.002). The need for mechanical ventilation was not significantly different between the two groups (OR: distorted estimates; p = 0.996). Importantly, the overall in-hospital mortality was significantly higher among diabetic patients compared to their nondiabetic counterparts (OR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.08-4.73; p = 0.03).
Conclusion:
DM was associated with a more arduous course of COVID-19, including a higher mortality rate, a longer overall hospital stay, and a higher frequency of ICU admission. Our results highlight the importance of DM control in COVID-19 patients to minimize the risk of detrimental clinical outcomes.
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