Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction and Aims: A higher prevalence of hyperglycemia has been reported in patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our study aims to retrospectively evaluate the course of hyperglycemia in patients recovering from COVID-19.

Methods: All patients who were hospitalised in Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital between March 2020 and March 2022 due to COVID-19 and whose HbA1c values were checked during hospitalisation were examined. Chronic kidney damage, oncological diagnosis, and pregnancy were determined as exclusion criteria. Three hundred twenty-four patients who met the current conditions were included in the study. Patients were followed up 3-12 months after hospitalisation.

Results: A total of 324 patients with a mean age of 67.48±12.36 years, including 151 (46.6%) women, were included in the study. It was determined that 191 (59%) of 324 cases were still alive, and the number of deceased was 133 (41%). Patients with known DM had significantly increased glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values before and during hospitalisation (glucose 167 (IQR: 129-222) vs 225 (IQR: 162-329) mg/dl, P<0.001) (HbA1c 7.8 (IQR: 7.0-9.75) vs 8.5 (IQR: 7.3-10.55), P<0.001). A significant decrease was observed in glucose and HbA1c values measured during hospitalisation and in the last outpatient clinic controls of known DM patients (glucose 225 (IQR: 162-329) vs 164 (IQR: 126-232) mg/dl, P <0.001) (HbA1c 8.5 (IQR: 7.3-10.55) vs 7.9 (IQR: 6.7-9.03), P <0.001). When 163 patients from known diabetic patients who came to the outpatient clinic were evaluated, it was observed that the treatment did not change in 83 (50.9%) patients, it was intensified in 67 (41.1%), and the treatment was reduced in 13 (8%). A significant decrease in glucose and HbA1c levels was observed compared to baseline in known diabetic patients who did not change treatment during follow-up (glucose 204 (IQR: 152-303) vs 165 (IQR:117-227) mg/dl, P=0.001) (HbA1c 8.35% (IQR: 7.1-10.1) vs 7.8% (IQR: 6.6-8.8), P =0.001).

Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that in hospitalised diabetic COVID-19 cases, the level of hyperglycaemia at admission decreased during follow-up. In our patients whose anti-diabetes treatment did not change, regression was observed in hyperglycaemia with the recovery of the infection. Prospective studies of the finding’s evaluation will provide more precise evidence.