Endocrine Abstracts

Authors agree that although mortality for COVID 19 is low, comorbidities may contribute to severe disease and mortality. Chinese center for disease control and prevention reported three times higher mortality in patients with diabetes. However, most studies do not take into account age of patients. Our study aimed to evaluate association of COVID in patients lesser than 65 years of age in two countries, India and United Kingdom with diabetes. We excluded patients with co-morbidities including advanced liver disease, cancer, patients with reduced ceilings of care and social needs prolonging hospital admission. Our UK arm evaluated a total of 657 patients. We found pre-diabetes in 9.6%, new diagnosis of diabetes in 11.4% and known diabetes in 17.9%. 23% of total patients did not have an HbA1c. Mortality was higher at 11.9% in diabetics compared to 5.4% in non diabetics (P < 0.05). Length of stay of diabetics was significantly longer with an average stay of 12 days compared to 4 days in non diabetics (P < 0.05). No significant increase in mortality was seen when comparing HbA1c levels. Our Indian arm evaluated a total of 904 patients. We found pre-diabetes in 16.6%, new diagnosis of diabetes in 22.1% and known diabetes in 33.8%. 87% of total patients had an HbA1c. Mortality rate was 33.1% in pre-diabetes/diabetics compared to 7.7% in non diabetics (P < 0.05). Length of stay of diabetics was significantly longer with an average stay of 17 days compared to 10 days in non diabetics (P < 0.05). Increased HbA1c revealed a close relationship with poorer outcomes. This is the only study to date evaluating diabetes in a younger age group and spread across two countries. We have proven significant relationship of COVID with diabetes irrespective of age. Gap in screening was found in UK implying need for education of diabetes and COVID.