Coronavirus: Are diabetics more prone to contracting Covid-19?

Dubai - The severity of symptoms associated with the viral infection is more in diabetic patients.

With the UAE reporting that 40% of those who died with Covid-19 in the country were diabetics, doctors have cautioned that those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from Covid-19 that can even result in death.
Infection chances of a diabetic contracting Covid-19 maybe slightly higher when compared to non-diabetic population, said Dr. Shobha Sudarshan Shetty, specialist internal medicine at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi.
"However, the severity of symptoms associated with the viral infection is more in diabetic patients. There are multiple factors, which are responsible for the increased risk among Covid-19-infected diabetes patients. The main reason could be impaired immunity. Diabetic patients have weaker immune system. High glucose level affects the patients' immune system defenses and some diabetic-related issues such as nerve damage and reduced blood flow increases the body's vulnerability to infection.
Dr Rahila Bhatti, endocrinologist at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai who has been serving Covid-19 patients at the hospital, said people with diabetes are at increased risk of infection because of defects in innate immunity. " Since there is increased prevalence of the disease in this region, therefore more cases of diabetics affected by the virus. However to understand better the underlying reasons, research is going on and we are also analysing the data from current patients. I would advise people, especially diabetics to avoid going out, take extra precautions like hand hygiene and social distancing, getting better control of their blood sugar level by talking to their doctors, especially by making use of telemedicine. Also eating healthy and doing regular exercises at home is important."
Talking about why diabetics are prone to the prone to contracting the virus, Dr. Alaa Aldin Zedan, specialist internal medicine at Burjeel Specialty Hospital, Sharjah said: "Many patients with type 2 diabetes are obese and obesity is also a risk factor for severe infection. People with severe abdominal obesity also have mechanical respiratory problems, with reduced ventilation of the lung sections increasing the risk of pneumonia as well as reduced oxygen saturation of blood."
Talking about how Covid-19 could prove fatal for people with chronic diseases, Dr Zedan added: "Late stage diabetic complications such as diabetic kidney disease and ischaemic heart disease may complicate the situation for diabetics, making them frailer and further increasing the severity of Covid-19 and the need for care such as acute dialysis. Some findings indicate that Covid-19 could cause acute cardiac injury with heart failure, leading to deterioration of circulation."
Advising people to adhere to precautions, he said: "Avoid contracting the infection by maintaining social distancing, wear face mask and maintaining personal hygiene. It is also important to maintain good control of the glucose levels by having a healthy diabetic diet. If already infected with Covid-19, monitor glucose levels closely and seek help when needed."
saman@khaleejtimes.com