Risk Factors Associated with Post-COVID-19 Conditions Among Diabetes Patients in the United Arab Emirates
Aysha Alkhemeiri1, Ziad El-Khatib2, Abrar Hassan Alameri3
1Department of Medicine, Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Medical City, Alain, United Arab Emirates. 200006187@hbmsu.ac.ae.
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
|January 20, 2025
Summary
Individuals with diabetes experience more frequent and severe post-COVID-19 conditions, including impaired physical activity and pain. Female gender and older age are key risk factors for these persistent symptoms in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Persistent symptoms after Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affect a significant number of individuals.
- Patients with type 2 diabetes have higher risks of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
- Understanding post-COVID-19 conditions in diabetic populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for post-COVID-19 conditions in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients.
- To compare the prevalence and severity of persistent symptoms between these two groups.
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on functional status in patients with and without diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 167 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (89 with diabetes, 78 without).
- Telephone interviews were conducted to assess symptoms persisting for at least three months post-infection.
- Data analysis compared post-COVID-19 conditions and risk factors between diabetic and non-diabetic groups.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of self-reported post-COVID-19 conditions was significantly higher in patients with diabetes (34.9%) than without (14.1%).
- Diabetic patients reported greater declines in functional status, including impaired physical activity (34.8%) and pain (32.6%).
- Older age and female gender were associated with increased post-COVID-19 conditions in the diabetes group.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic patients experience a higher frequency and severity of post-COVID-19 conditions.
- Female gender, older age, and comorbidities are risk factors for severe post-COVID-19 conditions.
- Depression was infrequently reported in both groups, suggesting other symptoms are more prominent.
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