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The Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Disease Prognosis in Covid 19 Patients
  • Zeynep Altın,
  • Hamiyet Yilmaz
Zeynep Altın
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Izmir Provincial Health Directorate Izmir University of Health Sciences Tepecik Training and Research Hospital

Corresponding Author:zeynpdr@hotmail.com

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Hamiyet Yilmaz
TC Sağlık Bakanlığı İzmir İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü İzmir Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Tepecik Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
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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.