English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as the leading comorbidity in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, data obtained on the correlation between the incidences of T2DM with COVID-19 are limited. We wanted to assess the severity of patients with T2DM and COVID-19, and study the correlation between the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and hyperglycaemia with disease severity. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with a history of diabetes and diagnosed COVID-19 positive. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The mean age was 58.81 ± 11.43 years with male preponderance (71 %). The difference was statistically significant in mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (7.32 ± 1.39 %, P < 0.001), mean high - density lipoprotein (HDL ; 39.78 ± 6.76 mmol / L), low - density lipoprotein (LDL; 63.23 ± 13.36 mmol / L), and triglyceride (TG; 140.70 ± 43.57 mg / dL) levels (P < 0.05) in different CT severity score. Mean HbA1c (P < 0.001), LDL, and CT severity scores (P = 0.034 and P < 0.001) were highly significant in patients who died than the discharged patients. A significant positive correlation was seen between CT severity score with HbA1c, LDL, and TG levels and chances of death (P < 0.001) rates, and also between the patients who died and HbA1c (P < 0.001) and LDL (P = 0.034) levels and CT severity score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Ideal management of the metabolic equilibrium of glucose was crucial in assuring an improved clinical outcome. Increased surveillance was warranted for diabetic COVID-19 patients. KEY WORDS COVID-19, Glycated Haemoglobin A, Hyperglycaemia, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2