Clinical features, risk factors and a prediction model for in-hospital mortality among diabetic patients infected with COVID-19: data from a referral centre in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of in-hospital mortality among diabetic patients infected with COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Using logistic regression analysis, the independent association of potential prognostic factors and COVID-19 in-hospital mortality was investigated in three models. Model 1 included demographic data and patient history; model 2 consisted of model 1, plus vital signs and pulse oximetry measurements at hospital admission; and model 3 included model 2, plus laboratory test results at hospital admission. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported for each predictor in the different models. Moreover, to examine the discriminatory powers of the models, a corrected area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: Among 560 patients with diabetes (men = 291) who were hospitalised for COVID-19, the mean age of the study population was 61.8 (standard deviation [SD] 13.4) years. During a median length of hospitalisation of 6 days, 165 deaths (men = 93) were recorded. In model 1, age and a history of cognitive impairment were associated with higher mortality; however, taking statins, oral antidiabetic drugs and beta-blockers was associated with a lower risk of mortality (AUC = 0.76). In model 2, adding the data for respiratory rate (OR 1.07 [95% CI 1.00-1.14]) and oxygen saturation (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.92-0.98]) slightly increased the AUC to 0.80. In model 3, the data for platelet count (OR 0.99 [95% CI 0.99-1.00]), lactate dehydrogenase (OR 1.002 [95% CI 1.001-1.003]), potassium (OR 2.02 [95% CI 1.33-3.08]) and fasting plasma glucose (OR 1.04 [95% CI 1.02-1.07]) significantly improved the discriminatory power of the model to AUC 0.86 (95% CI 0.83-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes, a combination of past medical and drug history and pulse oximetry data, with four non-expensive laboratory measures, was significantly associated with in-hospital COVID-19 mortality.

COVID-19 prognosis: what we know of the significance and prognostic value of liver-related laboratory parameters in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

AIM: The present study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of liver-related laboratory parameters in COVID-19. BACKGROUND: This is not the first nor will it be the last time that a member of the ß-coronaviruses wages a full-scale war against human health. Notwithstanding atypical pneumonia being the primary symptom, the emergence of severe disease mainly resulting from the injury of non-pulmonary organs leaves no alternative, in some cases, other than a dreadful death. METHODS: To provide a well-conceptualized viewpoint representing the prognostic values of liver-related laboratory parameters in COVID-19, a meta-analysis was performed with the calculation of mean difference and 95% confidence intervals of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (Bili), and albumin (Alb) in severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: While severe COVID-19 cases displayed higher values of ALT, AST, and Bili compared to non-severe patients (mean differences of 7.48, 12.07, and 3.07, respectively), the value of Alb was significantly lower in severe cases (mean differences of -6.15). There was also a correlation between alterations in all of the parameters; however, only correlations between ALT and Bili (R=0.98, p=0.0031), and Bili and Alb (R=-1, p=0.0012) were significant. CONCLUSION: Abnormal values of liver-related examinations outwardly contribute to reflect the progression of the disease toward an unfavorable outcome. Therefore, careful scrutiny of these parameters will provide clinicians with invaluable information regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, at least in terms of liver injury.

Diabetes Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Iranian Expert Opinion Statement.

The coronavirus infection is an evolving pandemic with high morbidity and mortality, especially in people with comorbidities. The case fatality rate (CFR) is 9.2% in the presence of diabetes, while it is 1.4% in those without any comorbidity. Diabetes is a prevalent disease globally; hence, healthcare professionals are highly concerned about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic progression. Current evidence does not support higher incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with diabetes (PWD). However, people with diabetes are considered high risk for developing complications. Optimal metabolic control is a challenging concept, especially in the presence of an acute and severe respiratory viral infection. In this consensus, we considered the challenging issues in management of patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The consensus covers various aspects of outpatient as well as inpatient care based on the current evidence.