Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in people with diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: In December 2019, the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease known as COVID-19, was identified in Wuhan, China. Diabetes is one of the most frequent comorbidities in people with COVID-19, reporting a prevalence between 7% and 30%.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in people with diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-retrospective study was conducted in 54 people with diabetes mellitus discharged from "Elpidio Sosa" Room, belonging to the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, with the diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by PCR-RT from January to October 2021. The medical records were reviewed and the following variables were obtained: age groups, sex, skin color, associated comorbidities in diabetic people and clinical manifestations of COVID-19.

Results: People aged 70 years and over predominated with 19 cases for 35.2 %, mainly female (64.8 %) and white skin color (72.2 %). The most frequent associated comorbidities were arterial hypertension with 40 cases (74.07%) and ischemic heart disease (12 patients) for 22.2%. Dry cough (51.85%), fever (29.6%) and decay (25.9%) stood out as clinical manifestations of COVID-19.

Conclusions: Diabetic people with varied clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and multiple associated comorbidities prevailed.