IMPACT OF DIABETES MELLITUS ON CLINICAL PROFILE AND OUTCOME OF COVID-19 PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: A novel coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia (COVID-19) has been quickly spreading throughout China and the rest of the world since December 2019. Respiratory tract infections are frequently linked to diabetes mellitus (DM), a different risk factor. This study has reported the clinical presentation and therapeutic outcomes of COVID-19 with diabetes. Methods: From medical records and histories provided by 72 Covid-19-infected patients with diabetes admitted to the KMCH institute of health sciences and research, Coimbatore, data on demographics, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics as well as treatment outcomes were collected using data collection forms. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of 2019-CoV RNA was used to screen patients with Covid-19. Results: 72 diabetes patients who tested positive for Covid-19 were admitted for this study. SPSS software version 26 was used to evaluate the data that had been collected. Clinical profiles and outcomes of patients with and without diabetes underwent descriptive analysis. Controlled diabetics had a mean plasma glucose of 112.22±11.41, while uncontrolled diabetics had a mean plasma glucose of 154.2±23.22. Fever was the most prevalent symptom in both managed and uncontrolled diabetes patients (94% and 100%), followed by sore throat (84% and 88%). In patients with uncontrolled diabetes compared to those with controlled diabetes, breathlessness is considerably higher (p<0.05). In the CORADS scoring, 11 of the 34 diabetics with uncontrolled blood sugar levels had CORADS 6 (32.35%), compared to just 2 of the 38 diabetics with regulated blood sugar levels (5.26%), which is considerably higher (p<0.01). In uncontrolled diabetics, the length of hospital stay is much longer (p<0.001). Compared to diabetics with controlled blood sugar, uncontrolled patients SPO2 dramatically dropped (p<0.001). Those with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to be admitted to the ICU than patients with controlled diabetes (p<0.05). In uncontrolled diabetes compared to controlled patients, the severity was considerably higher (p<0.05). One person who had uncontrolled diabetes died, although no one who had controlled diabetes died. Conclusion: Covid 19, persons with uncontrolled diabetes appear to be more likely to sustain lung damage, necessitating admission to the ICU, an extended stay in the hospital, and oxygen assistance throughout the duration of the illness.