Abstract
Aims: In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical
characteristics, laboratory findings, outcomes of hospitalized patients
with and without diabetes along with poorly vs well-controlled diabetes.
Methods: A total of 341 hospitalized patients with covid-19 confirmed by
RT-PCR and/or chest imaging suggestive of covid-19 infection were
retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into 2
groups as diabetic (n = 120) and non-diabetic (n = 221). Demographic
data, symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory values were recorded. The
patients were classified according to the clinical stages defined by
guidance of WHO for covid-19. The percentage of patients with severe
disease was higher in diabetic group (n = 57) 47.5% compared to
non-diabetic group(n=61) 27.8% (p = 0.001). The percentage of patients
requiring oxygen therapy was significantly higher in 61 (51.2%)
diabetic group than non-diabetic group 65 (29.4%) (p = 0.001).The
median time of duration of hospitalization in diabetic group was 8 days,
[IQR 6-11.5] that was significantly higher than non-diabetic group 7
days [IQR 5-10] (p = 0.009). The median time of duration of
hospitalization in poorly controlled diabetic group was 9 days [IQR
6.00-16.00] that was significantly higher than well-controlled
diabetic group 8 days [IQR 6.00-11.00] (p = 0.006). Results:
Patients with diabetes were more susceptible to covid-19 infection and
the infection was more severe in patients with diabetes compared to
patients without diabetes. However, the mortality rate was similar
between diabetic and non-diabetic group. Diabetic covid-19 patients
without other comorbidities were not prone to severe infection.
Conclusion: Patients with diabetes and comorbidities, apart from the
glycemic control, should receive intensive monitoring and disease
management.