COVID-19 and Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes in people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has varied worldwide. Most of the available evidence suggests a significant increase in severity and mortality of COVID-19 in people with either type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in association with poor glycemic control. While new-onset hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes (both T1DM and T2DM) have been increasingly recognized in the context of COVID-19 and have been associated with worse outcome, no conclusive evidence yet suggests direct tropism of SARS-CoV-2 on the beta cells of pancreatic islets. While all approved oral antidiabetic agents appear to be safe in people with T2DM having COVID-19, no conclusive data are yet available to indicate a mortality benefit with any class of these drugs, in the absence of large randomized controlled trials.

Automated summary

The prevalence of diabetes in COVID-19 varies worldwide, with evidence suggesting that individuals with diabetes, especially those with poor glycemic control, have a higher severity and mortality rate. While new-onset hyperglycemia and diabetes have been observed in COVID-19 patients, there is no conclusive evidence of direct tropism of SARS-CoV-2 on pancreatic islet cells. Approved oral antidiabetic agents appear to be safe for individuals with type 2 diabetes who have COVID-19, but there is currently a lack of conclusive data regarding mortality benefits.