31Jan 2023

COVID-19 INFECTION AND DIABETES: A CURRENT ISSUE

  • Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Western Campus, Kampala International University, Uganda.

The Covid-19 outbreak renders managing diabetes mellitus problematic. Infection with Covid-19 predisposes infected individuals to hyperglycemia, leading to hyper glycosylation of ACE2 and increased viral proliferation. Worsening of hyperglycaemia induces inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis via the generation of oxidative stress driving the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and hypercoagulability. Severe infection in the individuals predisposed to vasculopathy and impaired immunity may accentuate thrombotic and ischemic complications associated with multiorgan failure and increased mortality rates. Covid-19 poses a major risk to the diabetes patients. This risk in diabetes patients could through cytokine storm. Some inflammatory cytokines especially interleukin 6 should be monitored.


Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Western Campus, Kampala International University, Uganda.

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