COVID Treatment In Type 2 Diabetes Patients

COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc across the world for a year now, claiming the lives of millions of patients. With fatalities recorded even in patients who were otherwise healthy, the outlook for diabetes patients has been particularly worrying. Although data does not conclusively show a higher risk of infection in diabetes patients, research makes it clear that people with diabetes who develop COVID-19 are more vulnerable to serious complications and have a higher risk of death. This makes it particularly important for any diabetes patient to know the risks, take precautions and recognize the importance of seeking immediate COVID treatment in case of infection. 

Limitations & Efficacy Of COVID Treatments For Diabetes Patients

The higher risk of complications and mortality in people with diabetes is attributed to the presence of comorbidities such as heart disease, hypertension, or kidney disease. However, experts believe and are also learning that it is most likely that elevation of blood sugar levels during COVID infection may in fact trigger complications, increase the severity of infection, and worsen treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, here is an overview of the main COVID treatments used for diabetes patients. 

Insulin And GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Both low and high blood sugar levels are regarded as major risk factors for adverse outcomes in diabetes patients who are hospitalized for COVID. Studies suggest that optimized glycemic control is an important course of action to avoid spikes or falls in sugar levels in diabetes patients with COVID infection. This is regarded as essential for a reduction in the risk of COVID complications. 

This is why the recommended COVID treatment for diabetes patients who are not critically ill with infection is to control glucose levels with subcutaneous insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs). This can reduce the risk of progression to severe COVID and the development of complications. 

Metformin

Metformin is one of the best-known drugs in the treatment of diabetes and a study that appeared in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, in March 2021, suggests that the drug can play a crucial role in the reduction of COVID fatalities among diabetes patients. Regular intake of metformin was found to reduce the severity of infection with diabetes patients who were on the drug experiencing an 11% risk of death, as compared to the 24% mortality risk for diabetes patients not using metformin. Nevertheless, the researchers warn that the drug should be used cautiously in hospitalized diabetes patients who are in an unstable condition. 

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 And Its Analogues

Another pharmacological agent that has been found to be potentially useful in the treatment of COVID-19 in diabetes patients is glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogues. Therapy with GLP1-based treatments in type-2 diabetes patients has been found to protect against the risk of major adverse cardiac events. Such treatments can help to lower the production of a number of inflammatory cytokines and infiltration of immune cells in various organs, thereby lowering the risk of complications. 

New Developments In COVID Treatment For Diabetes Patients

Researchers from the University of Michigan have devised an algorithm that can help in the treatment of diabetes patients with COVID. In a study published in the journal Diabetes, the team demonstrated how observations of over 200 COVID-19 patients hospitalized with high blood sugar levels helped in the development of the algorithm. This tool could help doctors manage blood sugar levels in COVID infected diabetes patients more effectively, reducing the risk of severe complications such as kidney failure.

COVID-19 Vaccination

While our understanding of COVID treatment for diabetes patients has improved since the pandemic first struck, outcomes for diabetic patients still remain poor. This is why diabetes patients are regarded as a high priority group for vaccine access. The World Health Organization and local health authorities have urged vaccination for diabetes patients as the most important safeguard against severe COVID infection and mortality. 

Reference Links:

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11154-021-09630-8
2. https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-020-01090-9
3. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.609470/full
4. https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/3/202
5. https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/69/10/2048