IDF21-0439 Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus History in the Prognosis of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients – A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is found to affect Type 2 Diabetes Patients drastically. Aim: To evaluate the association between a known history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 diabetic patients. Method: This prospective cohort study categorized COVID-19 positive patients admitted to a secondary care hospital in South India into DM patients and Non-DM patients. Data regarding the past medical and medication history was collected on the day of admission and the patients were regularly followed up till discharge or death. The outcome measures including duration of hospital stay, mortality, need for ICU care/mechanical ventilation were compared between the two groups. Data is extracted and statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: A total of 118 patients were observed, 53 patients were diabetic and 65 were non-diabetic. Out of the 53 hyperglycemic patients, 39 patients were on metformin therapy while 15 patients were on insulin before admission due to COVID-19. A higher mortality rate was observed in the DM group when compared with the Non-DM group [26.4% (14) vs 9.23% (6)]. An increased random blood glucose level at the time of admission had a positive correlation with mortality (p = 0.003). While insulin administration prior to admission had negative correlation with mortality [R value is -0.282 (p = 0.02)], increased insulin requirement during hospitalization is associated with poor outcomes [R value is 0.327 (p = 0.002)]. Discussion: People with diabetes when infected with COVID-19 are at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality. The study highlights the need of rational management of hyperglycemia in COVID patients with a history of diabetes mellitus.