D-dimer variation in diabetic and non-diabetic patients of COVID-19

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the serious comorbidities in patients with COVID-19. D-dimer which is a marker of fibrinolysis, the levels of which were quite different between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Hence, it is important to assess the levels of D-dimer in COVID-19 patients. The present study aimed to assess the variability of D-dimer in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with COVID-19 and its association with the severity of COVID-19 illness with glycemic control of diabetic patients. All the hospitalized patients of COVID-19 were included and diabetic and non-diabetic populations were differentiated based on their previous history, fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Outcomes were assessed based on evaluation of HbA1c levels with D-Dimer values and assessing the severity of illness by Computed tomography severity index (CTSI) and duration of hospital stay. Also, D-dimer variation in the two groups of COVID-19 with outcomes was observed. The D-dimer levels, CTSI and hospital stay of the diabetic patients were significantly higher than non-diabetic patients. Association for patients with D-dimer values and HbA1c of class interval 6.5–7.5 %, 7.6–9 % and > 9 % was highly significant, suggesting that patients having higher levels of D-dimer were associated with uncontrolled glycemic values. Poor glycemic control was associated with higher D-dimer values and higher CT severity Index. All COVID-19 patients with diabetes be followed closely to detect complications at early stage as the disease is more severe in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics.