Paper warns of diabetes after Covid-19 in patients with no history of disease

Apart from the rampant use of steroids, stress and Covid-19’s effect on the pancreas are said to be the reasons behind the development. Representation pic

A Research paper published in a medical journal recently has warned of the onset of diabetes post-Covid-19. The paper, published in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, gives conclusive evidence that Covid-19 patients without a medical history developed diabetes irrespective of age and Body Mass Index (BMI).

The research paper's author Dr Rujuta Katkar mentions a series of observations among eight patients aged between 36 and 74 years. These patients, according to Dr Katkar, had no medical history or even family history of diabetes but developed it after Covid-19.

"These patients were hospitalised for anywhere between seven days and two weeks. Initial random blood glucose levels in the basic metabolic panel were elevated, which prompted us to check the Haemoglobin A1C, which ranged between 6.7 and 11.8 per cent. They were put on insulin therapy for blood sugar level management," said Dr Katkar. She said once clinically improved, patients were discharged and advised to follow up with outpatient providers to monitor and manage new-onset diabetes mellitus.

The paper said the new-onset diabetes mellitus in Covid-19 patients is due to plausible interaction of the virus with ACE 2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) receptors located in essential metabolic tissues including the pancreas, adipose tissue, small intestine, and kidneys. The resulting downregulation of ACE-2 and ACE-2 receptor expression caused islet-cell damage resulting in diabetes, it said.

Mumbai doctors, too, have been witnessing the new-onset and have termed it as ‘Covid Diabetes'. While some say that the indiscriminate use of steroids can be one factor, Mumbai endocrinologists say there are two more reasons behind this.

Dr Vasant Nagvekar, infectious disease expert, Global Hospitals, said, "We are seeing steroid-induced high blood sugar levels and Covid-19 virus itself causing high blood sugar levels. The stress of getting the infection is also playing a key role in Covid-19 patients getting high blood sugar levels."

Dr Shehla Shaikh, endocrinologist, Saifee Hospital, said that post-Covid-19, there is a three-month timetable that requires strict blood sugar level monitoring and following appropriate dietary advice. "One should not panic and stress after getting Covid-19 or if they are started on insulin. Intensive monitoring of blood sugar levels is most important," she said.