Diabetic Men Are At Higher Risk Of Death From Covid-19, Finds Study

Previous studies have identified that people with diabetes have about two- to threefold increased risk of mortality due to Covid-19 compared to those without it. However, recent studies have found differences in associations of specific phenotypes of diabetes with comorbidities and complications.

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But now, a larger study has found that men and older adults with a more advanced diabetes have a higher risk of death when infected with the novel coronavirus.

Findings from the research

The findings, published in the journal Diabetologia, showed that men with diabetes were 28 per cent more likely to die with Covid-19 than women, while people aged over 65 with diabetes were over three times more likely to die than those under that age with diabetes.

People with more severe course of #diabetes have poorer prognosis of #COVID-19 vs people with milder course: findings from living systematic review & meta-analysis. @ddz_info @LeibnizWGL @DiabResearch @HHU_de @SabrinaSchlesi2 https://t.co/yJq1VU0g5R @EASDnews @ClinMedJournals pic.twitter.com/O2UeZaPE9P

¡ª Diabetologia (@DiabetologiaJnl) April 29, 2021

With each five-year increase in age, the relative risk for Covid-19 related death in people living with diabetes increased by 43 per cent, said the team of researchers from German Diabetes Centre, Leibniz Centre for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany.

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For the research, the team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies and 17,687 people across countries in Asia, North America and Europe.

The research also found that patients using insulin to control their diabetes were found to be 75 per cent more likely to die with Covid-19, while those treating their diabetes with metformin were 50 per cent less likely to succumb to Covid-19.

There were no clear associations between smoking, being overweight and being obese with risk of Covid-19-related death or the severity of the disease.

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¡°Male sex, older age and some pre-existing conditions, as well as the use of insulin, most of which are potential indicators for a more progressive course of diabetes, were associated with increased risk of Covid-19 related death and severity in individuals with diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas metformin use was associated with a lower risk of death,¡± lead author Sabrina Schlesinger said in a statement.

ICMR issues guidelines for diabetic patients

The findings come a day after the Indian Council of Medical Research said in an FAQ that ¡°people with diabetes are not at higher risk for acquiring the infection, but some individuals are prone to more severe disease and poorer outcomes once infected.¡±

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The ICMR advised following a diet and exercise routine (to the extent possible), taking medications regularly and testing sugar levels frequently so as to keep diabetes under control.

When diabetic patients become sick, they may require frequent monitoring of blood glucose and adjustment of drugs, including insulin, small frequent meals and adequate fluids, it said.

The ICMR guideline advised patients to take all prescribed medications regularly, but warned against some painkillers like Ibuprofen that are found to worsen Covid-19, known to be harmful to heart failure patients and may increase risk of kidney damage.

Disclaimer: The aim of the article is not to dispense medical advice. If you or anyone around you are exhibiting any symptoms do consult a medical health professional.