Understanding the risks and the best ways to mitigate in the short and long term is key to facilitating informed decision-making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Jatin Mahajan, CMD, J Mitra & Co, gives an insight
The first case of COVID-19 was from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. After that, this highly infectious coronavirus spread rapidly to over 222 countries worldwide, infecting millions of people. Consequently, 250.4 million people tested positive until the first week of November 2021, resulting in around 5.063 million deaths. Twenty-three months since the first case, numerous studies have demonstrated a clear correlation between diabetes and covid-related deaths. People with diabetes have lower COVID-19 survivability compared to people without diabetes. As per the study conducted by scientists at University Medical Centre, Texas, 40 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in the US were patients who had diabetes. As per another study conducted by the UK’s National Health Services, one-third (or 33 per cent) of coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in England were patients with diabetes. A Lancet study had similar findings.
People with diabetes are more vulnerable to severe complications, even to the extent of mortality during corona infections. In addition, people with diabetes-related health problems are more susceptible to critical health issues if they contract COVID-19 than those with diabetes who are healthy and have no complications. Aged people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, asthma, etc.) are more prone to become critically ill post a corona infection. COVID-19 presents substantial indirect
risks to people with diabetes through disruptions in health care and lifestyle factors. Understanding these risks and the best ways to mitigate them in the short and long term is key to facilitating informed decision-making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diabetes causes inflammation in the human body. With COVID-19 infection, the inflammatory state worsens even more rapidly. Additionally, people with diabetes are more prone to problems with their circulations. Furthermore, COVID-19 could exaggerate blood flow because of clotting problems. A severe inflammatory response due to COVID-19 can trigger a life-threatening cytokine storm. This immune overreaction harms more through organ damage than due to the actual viral infection. Diabetes also adversely affects the immune system and its ability to fight the virus.
Due to the increased risk of unfavourable health outcomes due to COVID-19, people with diabetes are included among priority groups for vaccination programmes. Because of these critical reasons, people with comorbidities (including diabetes) were prioritised and included in India’s second round of vaccination.
Precautions for diabetic patients
• Monitor and control your blood
glucose to avoid complications
• Maintain regular connect with your
doctor, especially if you demonstrate
any symptoms
• Drink lots of fluid and stay hydrated
• Maintain your diet, control
medication, and adopt the necessary
lifestyle changes
