Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Diabetes Mellitus People, Yazd, Iran-2021

Akram Mehrabbeik; Mohsen Mirzaei; Maryam Askari; Mohamad Ali Sahami; Mozhgan Minoosepehr; Nasim Namiranian

doi:10.18502/ijdo.v15i4.14552

Akram Mehrabbeik Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. Iran.
Mohsen Mirzaei Yazd Cardiovascular Research Centre, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Maryam Askari Genetic and Environmental Adventures Research Center, School of Abarkouh Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mohamad Ali Sahami Yazd Health Network, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mozhgan Minoosepehr Health Department, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Nasim Namiranian Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdo.v15i4.14552

Keywords: COVID-19, Diabetes, Inpatients, Outcomes

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is reported to be the third most prevalent comorbidity with COVID-19, after cardio‐cerebrovascular disease and hypertension. Furthermore, diabetes increases the likelihood of admission to the hospital and intensive care unit and death from COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19 in diabetic versus non-diabetic inpatients.

Materials and Methods: The medical records of 6525 patients with definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 were obtained from the reference COVID-19 diagnosis laboratory from January to July 2021 in Yazd, Iran. Patients were investigated for data on onset, clinical history, and fatality rate. COVID-19-related death was defined as positive RT-PCR in at least one of three nasal samples. Data were analysed using SPSS 24.

Results: Among inpatients, 21.2% were diabetic. The mean ages of diabetic and non-diabetic patients were 64.45 (±13.87) and 52.98 (±20.36) years, respectively. Diabetics were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (6.8% vs. 5%, P= 0.02) and the fatality rate was higher among them than non-diabetics (22.6% vs. 12%, P< 0.001). In diabetics, the mean age of non-survivors was lower than that of survivors (62.57 vs. 70.48, P= 0.0001) and the frequency of death was higher among men than women (53% vs. 47.5%, P= 0.045). Generally, diabetes has the strongest association with COVID-19 death (P= 0.0001).

Conclusion: Diabetic patients experience more adverse outcomes because of COVID-19. These findings indicate the need for special attention in relation to prevention treatment against COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.