Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan
Abstract Background COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 and quickly became a global public health concern. Diabetes, a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, affects 537 million people worldwide, with high prevalence in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Studies sho...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Endocrine Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01908-1 |
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| author | Asma Ahmed Salaar Ahmed Manahil Tariq Malik Maheen Zahid Muhammad Abdullah Shamila Ladak Maliha Taufiq Faiza Qureshi Ayesha Ali Shalni Golani Kinza Jawed Sajjan Raja Maha Chaipiwala |
| author_facet | Asma Ahmed Salaar Ahmed Manahil Tariq Malik Maheen Zahid Muhammad Abdullah Shamila Ladak Maliha Taufiq Faiza Qureshi Ayesha Ali Shalni Golani Kinza Jawed Sajjan Raja Maha Chaipiwala |
| author_sort | Asma Ahmed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 and quickly became a global public health concern. Diabetes, a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, affects 537 million people worldwide, with high prevalence in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Studies show diabetes increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications and mortality. However, there is limited data on COVID-19 outcomes in diabetic patients in Pakistan. This study aims to fill this gap and examine factors affecting outcomes in this population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, encompassing 2,346 confirmed COVID-19 patients from February 26, 2020, to September 6, 2021. Data on diabetic status, following ADA guidelines and other clinical outcomes were collected from medical records and patient interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.25. Results A total of 1,342 patients were included, with 864 males (64.4%) and 478 females (35.6%). The mean age was 56.59 ± 15.55 years. SARS-CoV-2 infection was the primary diagnosis for 741 patients (55.2%), while 601 patients (44.8%) had it as a secondary diagnosis. Of the total, 348 patients (25.9%) had T2DM, 2 patients (0.15%) had T1DM, and 991 patients (73.8%) were non-diabetic. The mean duration of diabetes was 2.01 ± 1.32 years. Diabetic patients had a significantly shorter mean hospital stay (4.99 ± 4.46 days) compared to non-diabetic patients (6.79 ± 7.32 days) (p < 0.001). The overall discharge rate was 70.3%, with a mortality rate of 10.7%. T2DM was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001) but higher rates of ARDS (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between T2DM and the risk of pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary embolism, or septic shock. Higher financial class was associated with longer hospital stays and a greater likelihood of being discharged home (p < 0.001). Conclusion In conclusion, our study highlights the heightened susceptibility of COVID-19 patients with concurrent T1DM and T2DM to developing ARDS. Despite no significant association found between diabetes and adverse outcomes, the crucial role of tailored care for high-risk groups, particularly those with diabetes, cannot be overstated. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-892e270ef20f4e619071cdac54b5216f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6823 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Endocrine Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-892e270ef20f4e619071cdac54b5216f2025-08-20T03:21:06ZengBMCBMC Endocrine Disorders1472-68232025-06-012511710.1186/s12902-025-01908-1Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in PakistanAsma Ahmed0Salaar Ahmed1Manahil Tariq Malik2Maheen Zahid3Muhammad Abdullah4Shamila Ladak5Maliha Taufiq6Faiza Qureshi7Ayesha Ali8Shalni Golani9Kinza Jawed10Sajjan Raja11Maha Chaipiwala12Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University HospitalMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityMedical College, Aga Khan UniversityAbstract Background COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 and quickly became a global public health concern. Diabetes, a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, affects 537 million people worldwide, with high prevalence in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Studies show diabetes increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications and mortality. However, there is limited data on COVID-19 outcomes in diabetic patients in Pakistan. This study aims to fill this gap and examine factors affecting outcomes in this population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, encompassing 2,346 confirmed COVID-19 patients from February 26, 2020, to September 6, 2021. Data on diabetic status, following ADA guidelines and other clinical outcomes were collected from medical records and patient interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.25. Results A total of 1,342 patients were included, with 864 males (64.4%) and 478 females (35.6%). The mean age was 56.59 ± 15.55 years. SARS-CoV-2 infection was the primary diagnosis for 741 patients (55.2%), while 601 patients (44.8%) had it as a secondary diagnosis. Of the total, 348 patients (25.9%) had T2DM, 2 patients (0.15%) had T1DM, and 991 patients (73.8%) were non-diabetic. The mean duration of diabetes was 2.01 ± 1.32 years. Diabetic patients had a significantly shorter mean hospital stay (4.99 ± 4.46 days) compared to non-diabetic patients (6.79 ± 7.32 days) (p < 0.001). The overall discharge rate was 70.3%, with a mortality rate of 10.7%. T2DM was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001) but higher rates of ARDS (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between T2DM and the risk of pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary embolism, or septic shock. Higher financial class was associated with longer hospital stays and a greater likelihood of being discharged home (p < 0.001). Conclusion In conclusion, our study highlights the heightened susceptibility of COVID-19 patients with concurrent T1DM and T2DM to developing ARDS. Despite no significant association found between diabetes and adverse outcomes, the crucial role of tailored care for high-risk groups, particularly those with diabetes, cannot be overstated.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01908-1COVID-19Diabetes mellitusSARS-CoV-2Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)Pakistan healthcareIn-Hospital mortality |
| spellingShingle | Asma Ahmed Salaar Ahmed Manahil Tariq Malik Maheen Zahid Muhammad Abdullah Shamila Ladak Maliha Taufiq Faiza Qureshi Ayesha Ali Shalni Golani Kinza Jawed Sajjan Raja Maha Chaipiwala Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan BMC Endocrine Disorders COVID-19 Diabetes mellitus SARS-CoV-2 Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Pakistan healthcare In-Hospital mortality |
| title | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan |
| title_full | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan |
| title_short | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by COVID-19: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Pakistan |
| title_sort | clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus affected by covid 19 a retrospective cross sectional study from a tertiary care center in pakistan |
| topic | COVID-19 Diabetes mellitus SARS-CoV-2 Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Pakistan healthcare In-Hospital mortality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01908-1 |
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