Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: living with double risk

Abstract

Background. The purpose is to analyze and summarize the studies conducted to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the course of diabetes mellitus and the manifestations of chronic complications of this disease. Materials and methods. We did the search in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using the following line: “SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 and diabetes or hyperglycemia”. Results. It was found that in patients with diabetes, the severity of COVID-19 is increased. In particular, the number of those who needed intensive care or artificial ventilation has elevated. The same negative trend is noted for the overall mortality rate in patients with diabetes. It has been found that COVID-19 contributes to an increase in the development of diabetes, including diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar syndrome, brain stroke and mental health disorders, which can potentiate the effect of COVID-19 in enhancing the manifestations of diabetes and double risk for these patients. Along with this, the common pathways of the pathogenesis of diabetes and COVID-19 determine the bidirectionality of the interaction in their comorbidity. Conclusions. We have demonstrated numerous links between COVID-19 pathogenetic mechanisms and diabetes. Despite this, current research shows only modest evidence of an increased risk of metabolic, neurological, and psychiatric complications in patients with diabetes who had COVID-19. However, along with the direct impact of patients’ infection, the conditions of pandemic are also affected, which complicate access to the necessary care and should be taken into account when studying the clinical consequences of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.