Hyperglycemia can be fatal in Covid-19, even if you are not diabetic

• Hyperglycemia in patients with Covid-19 is a major danger signal, even if they do not have diabetes.
• A large study in Spain found that this was especially true at high levels at admission.
• Hyperglycemia should be actively monitored and treated in Covid-19 patients to reduce mortality.

The fatal effects of Covid-19 on diabetics are well established during a coronavirus pandemic, but hyperglycemia is more likely to be fatal even if you are not suffering from diabetes. Shown in the study of.

Early research In July, this ominous complication in patients with coronavirus was first revealed. The latest study from Spain is the largest ever, using data from more than 11,000 patients.

Was announced in Annual Medical ReportIn this study, we examined blood glucose levels in Covid-19 patients at admission, regardless of their diabetic status.

Read | Hyperglycemia in Covid-19 patients who have never had diabetes can cause death

Early warning sign

Researchers say hyperglycemia – also known as High blood glucose – An early warning sign that Covid-19 patients require mechanical ventilation and may be at increased risk of death on non-critical hospitalizations.

In people without diabetes, hyperglycemia can be caused by infections, trauma, medications, and other chronic illnesses.

“Several studies and meta-analyses have shown that diabetics are at significantly higher risk of severe Covid-19 and have a higher mortality rate, but not the effects of hyperglycemia itself. [diabetes], Covid-19 “is not well explained in non-severe patients hospitalized.

What is the relationship between blood sugar and Covid-19?

One theory suggests that viral infection of endocrine pancreatic cells can disrupt the body’s insulin management, while another suggests that the inflammation that the body endures during infection can increase insulin resistance. I emphasize that.

“One question that hasn’t been answered yet is whether hyperglycemia plays a role in the pathophysiology of the disease, or is it just an inflammatory bystander,” the study speculates.

Data from 11312 Covid-19 patients from 109 hospitals in Spain were used to investigate the association between inpatient hyperglycemia in non-essential patients and length of stay, ICU admission, ventilator and death.

However, this study did not include patients who developed hyperglycemia during hospitalization for treatment or medication.

Read more | More evidence shows why Covid’s mortality rate is high in men

High blood sugar, higher mortality

Patients were assigned to three groups based on blood glucose levels – less than 140 mg / dL, 140-180 mg / dL, and more than 180 mg / dL. Only about 18.9% of the group was classified as diabetic, with high levels tending to be older and male, and most had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses.

Over 20% of patients died in hospitals, of which 41.1% were in the hyperglycemic group, 33% were moderate, and 15.7% were below 140 mg / dL.

“Sure, hospitalization has gradually increased mortality from all causes. [blood glucose] Levels increased and there was no difference in mortality within each category [blood glucose] Levels between patients with and without a history of diabetes, “the researchers explain.

Early monitoring is important

Hyperglycemia remained a prominent predictor of Covid-19 mortality when compared to other factors such as age, gender, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia.

People with elevated levels also tended to stay in the hospital longer and were more likely to be admitted to the ICU and use ventilators.

The results of this study highlight the importance of glycemic monitoring in Covid-19 patients, even if they do not have diabetes, especially in the early stages of infection and hospitalization.

“Early correction of hyperglycemia in the process of Covid-19 may reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines and reduce the virus’s ability to bind ACE, resulting in better results,” the researchers said. They concluded.

Read | Covid-19: Extensive research on outbreaks in Spain found that most people did not develop immunity

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