B-147 Evaluation of Laboratory Database: Is there a Causal Relationship between COVID-19 and Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) constitutes about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. The global incidence is increasing over the past few years. To date, the pathophysiology of the disease is not fully understood. with descriptions of activation of the immune system by some viral agents. SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested as a potential inducer of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). DASA has one of the largestData and Analytics areas in Diagnostic Medicine. The use of laboratory data can represent an important tool in broader knowledge of this relationship. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of new-onset T1DM in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Methods This study was done through an observational, retrospective big data laboratory approach with a network that extends over a large part of Brazil to analyze whether there was an increase in T1DM cases. Individuals aged 18 years or younger were evaluated from January 2019 to December 2021. The subjects were characterized with possible new-onset T1DM through the presence of glycated hemoglobin equal to or greater than 6.5% in the presence of at least one disease-related antibody. The antibodies evaluated were: anti-GAD, anti-islet, anti-insulin and anti-zinc transporter type 8. For data evaluation, the means and standard deviations and the chi-square test were used. The results of patients who underwent RT PCR COVID19 were evaluated. Results A total of 431 060 subjects (<18 years) were evaluated, with 229 201 female (53.17%). Table 1 shows the distribution of data over the years evaluated, the number of patients with glycated levels greater than 6.5% and the number of probable new cases of DM1 from the positivity of at least 1 antibody. In the years evaluated, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of the disease between the sexes (2019 - 51.2%; P:0.92, 2020 - 50.3%; P:0.99 and 2021 - 48.9%; P: 0.67). The mean age with standard deviation in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, was: 12.4% ± 4.4; 12.6 ± 4.3 and 12.5% ± 4.3. The mean values of glycated hemoglobin of patients with a value ≥6.5% with standard deviation in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, were: 9.3% ± 2.1; 9.2 ± 2.5 and 9.3% ± 3.4. When comparing the incidence of the disease between the years, there was a significant increase in cases when comparing the years 2021 with 2020 and 2019 (P: 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Of the total number of patients in 2020, only 5 underwent RT PCR COVID 19, with no positive result, and in 2021 a total of 32, with 7 positive, corresponding to 21.8% of cases. Conclusion The present study, using a large database, seems to demonstrate an increase in the incidence of DM1 among children diagnosed with diabetes. Prospective studies that evaluate the possible relationship of the disease with the SARS-CoV-2 virus may show this agent as a trigger of disease-related automunity.