Abstract
For almost a year, the major medical problem has been the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. People with diabetes who contract COVID-19 are likely to experience more serious symptoms than patients without diabetes. This article presents new research about the epidemiology of COVID-19 in a group of patients with diabetes. It details the mortality and prognosis in such patients, as well as the relationship between COVID-19 and the diseases most often coexisting with diabetes: obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and increased risk for infection. It also details how the virus infects and affects patients with hyperglycemia. The context of glycation and receptors for advanced glycation products (RAGE) seems to be of particular importance here. We also present a hypothesis related to the cause-and-effect axis—it turns out that diabetes can be both the cause of the more difficult course of COVID-19 and the result of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The last part of this article discusses the impact of antihyperglycemic drugs on the development of COVID-19 and other pharmacological implications, including which non-classical antihyperglycemic drugs seem to be effective in both the treatment of coronavirus infection and glucose homeostasis, and what strategies related to RAGE and glycation should be considered.
Highlights
Diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors for dying from Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19), an illness caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2)
What we do know for sure is that people with diabetes, especially in old age, have a significantly increased probability of hospitalization, serious complications, and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection [5,12,14,15]
When drawing practical conclusions from the currently available data, it should be emphasized that people with diabetes during a pandemic should control their glucose levels and generally put emphasis on prevention. rtCGM is considered a tool in controlling glucose levels [20]
Summary
Diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors for dying from Coronavirus Disease 2019. (COVID-19), an illness caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). 20–79 years of age suffer from diabetes (2019) [3] This data suggest 20–50% of patients with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 have chronic diabetes [4]. It is the second most common disease associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection [5], and it affects all age groups. There are scientific reports indicating that diabetes does not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but only worsens the course of respiratory infections caused by this virus [6,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
