Role of inflammation in determining the severity of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes: A comparative study

Abstract

There is a need to consider the geographical origins when studying the association between COVID-19 and the comorbid conditions. To examine the role of inflammation in determining the severity of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients with diabetes and compare these roles with those who does not have diabetes. A cross sectional comparative design was used with a convenience sample of 352 patients. Samples were collected from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who were divided into 2 groups (diabetes and non-diabetes). Data regarding results of selected inflammatory markers and sociodemographic were collected. The severity of COVID-19 differed significantly between the diabetes and non-diabetes groups (Chi square = 25.58 P < .05). There was significant difference in the mean scores of neutrophil counts, monocyte count, Basophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, partial thromboplastin time, C-creative protein, platelets, white blood cells, and mean cellular hemoglobin center between those with and those without diabetes. The diabetes were shown more increased in the predictors and severity of the COVID-19 disease. However, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil count, and age were the significant predictors of the severity level of COVID-19 among patients with diabetes. In conclusion, our study addressed the influence of having diabetes among hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 infection. The results showed that severity of COVID-19 infection was affected by diabetes where those with diabetes had more tendency to suffer from the severe form of the disease rather that the moderate level.