RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Diabetes mellitus as a comorbidity in COVID-19 infection in the United Arab Emirates
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 170
OP 180
DO 10.15537/smj.2021.2.25700
VO 42
IS 2
A1 Elemam, Noha M.
A1 Hannawi, Haifa
A1 Salmi, Issa Al
A1 Naeem, Kashif Bin
A1 Alokaily, Fahdah
A1 Hannawi, Suad
YR 2021
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/42/2/170.abstract
AB Objectives: To compare risk factors and clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients with or without diabetes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: Data of 350 COVID-19 positive patients, admitted to Al Kuwait Hospital in Dubai, UAE, from February to May 2020 was collected retrospectively, including demographic data, clinical symptoms, blood tests, as well as radiographical assessments, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. The design of the study is a retrospective cohort study.Results: COVID-19 patients with diabetes belong to an older age group, had a higher percentage of male patients, exhibited more lymphopenia and neutrophilia, and higher ferritin levels. Additionally, patients with diabetes presented fever and shortness of breath (SOB), displayed more bilateral airspace consolidation and opacities in their chest x-ray and CT scans, compared to non-diabetics. A higher percentage of critical, ICU-admitted, and death of COVID-19 cases in the diabetic group was also reported. This was along with a concomitant increase in C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels.Conclusions: Diabetes is considered a comorbidity as diabetic patients showed more severe COVID-19 symptoms that led to critical clinical outcomes such as ICU admission and death.