Coronavirus disease 2019 in diabetes: A pathophysiological linkage

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) specifically in diabetic patients has attracted attention worldwide due to the poor prognosis of infection, compromised immunity and delayed response to medicines leading to increased death rate. Several pathophysiological explanations can be linked in support of connection between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) alias COVID-19 and diabetes severity. In patients with diabetes, the innate immune system is compromised and the disease can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2. The exaggerated and inappropriate cytokine response can be evidenced in both diabetic and COVID-19 patients. This is evidenced by the elevated levels of IL-6 in their blood. It has been known that people with diabetes are more prone to having an inflammatory cytokine storm, which can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Anti-viral drugs and agents can help lower blood sugar levels, but their use should be carefully monitored to see if they can also interact with COVID-19 treatment.