ABSTRACT
Background: In this study, we are focussing on gender differences in occurrence of COVID 19 in young patients with diabetes and without diabetes. Aim: 1. To find out gender differences in the age of COVID 19 patients with and without diabetes. 2. To find out the gender difference in the frequency of Covid 19 in patients with and without diabetes.Table 1.Table 2.Table 3.Method: All patients admitted to Voluntary Health Services (VHS) with confirmed COVID-19 from May 2020 - May 2021 were included. All patients with COVID 19 were classified into two categories as Covid with diabetes and Covid without diabetes. Age was categorized into five groups. The data was retrieved from the hospital medical records and recorded in excel files for further statistical analysis. Results: Out of 945 patients who had Covid, 497(52.6%) were having diabetes and 448(47.4) did not. Of the patients with diabetes, 179(36.1%) were women and 318(63.9%) were men respectively. Men have been more affected than women among persons with and without diabetes. However, among Covid 19 patients below age 25 years without diabetes, twice as many women have been affected compared to men. This has major public health significance in terms of educating women of reproductive age about vaccination and other prevention strategies. Discussion: Our study establishes that COVID 19 infections have been more common in younger women compared to men, even in the absence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes. Further research is required to focus on the factors that have made young women more vulnerable to COVID 19 infection.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes and its association with poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19 is a well established fact. In this study, we are focusing on gender differences in age of occurrence of COVID 19, gender differences in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes vs established diabetes. Through this study, we are trying to focus on gender specific diabetes care in the background of the current pandemic. Aim: 1. To compare the gender differences in age of occurrence of Covid 19. 2. To find out the gender difference in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes vs established diabetes. Method: All patients admitted to the Voluntary Health Services (VHS) hospital with confirmed COVID-19 from May 2020 - May 2021 were included. Established diabetes was determined using patients’ history and patients were considered to have newly diagnosed diabetes if the HbA1c level at admission was ≥6.5% and no known history of diabetes. Age was categorised into five groups: Group 1: Those below 25, Group 2 :25–40, Group 3: 41–60, Group 4: 61–80, Group 5: Above 80. The data was retrieved from our hospital medical records. Results: Of 497 patients who had Covid with diabetes, we could include 411 patients for the analysis of newly diagnosed vs established diabetes. The results were as follows: (See Table 1 and 2) This study has revealed that the incidence of newly diagnosed diabetes is higher in men. As for clinical outcome, mortality rate was higher in men than women. More men got admitted with COVID 19 than women in all age groups. Discussion: Our study has revealed that overall 42.8% were under the age of 60. More men had Covid at all ages and their outcomes were poorer. More men had new onset diabetes than women. Nearly 25% of the men and 15% of the women had new onset diabetes which has serious implications for future burden of diabetes. Follow up is the need of the hour especially for women who already have an increased lifetime risk of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Background: Covid-19 and its association with comorbidities especially diabetes has been a global public health challenge. While more men have developed Covid 19, there is limited data on gender differences in glycemic status on admission need to be understood. Aim: To study the gender differences on admission HbA1c in patients hospitalized with Covid-19 and diabetes. Method: All patients admitted to Voluntary Health Services (VHS) with confirmed COVID-19 from May 2020 - May 2021 were included. Diabetes was determined using patients’ past history (diagnosed) or was newly diagnosed if the haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) level at admission was ≥6.5%. Based on the HbA1c level, the patients were divided into five groups. Group 1: Those below 7%, Group 2:7–8%, Group 3: 8.1–10%, Group 4: 10.1–12%, Group 5: above 12%. Patients with HbA1c more than 8 were categorised as having poorly controlled diabetes. The data was retrieved from our institution's medical records and recorded in excel files for further statistical analysis. Results: Of 497 patients who had Covid with diabetes, 342 patients with admission A1c were included for the analysis. Out of 342, 120 (35.1%) were women and 222 (64.9%) were men respectively. The results: Women with HbA1c below 7% n = 22 (22.2%), between 7–12% n = 21(17.1%), above 12% n = 15 (12.8%). Men with A1c value below 7% n = 61 (26.8%), between 7–8% n = 54 (24.5%), 8.1–10% n = 55 (25.0%), 10.1–12% n = 32 (14.5%), above 12% n = 20 (9.1%). This study has revealed that women have poorer baseline glycemic control than men on admission. (See Table 1) Discussion: The gender difference in patients with Covid 19 and DM is not well documented. With this present study, we observed that women have poorly controlled diabetes than men in all subgroups with A1c > 8. This study shows the gender centric impact of the pandemic and given the socioeconomic impact the pandemic is likely to have on the long-term care of women with diabetes, there is an urgent need to create effective communication, policies and interventions to promote optimal care in this vulnerable group.