Diabetes mellitus in relation to COVID-19

The recent ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus saw many hospitalizations and deaths among elderly patients. It has been reported that the most common underlying conditions in these patients were obesity and diabetes. While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes pose a higher risk of severe or fatal COVID-19 infections, patients with type 2 diabetes required ICU treatment at a greater frequency than those with type 1 diabetes. However, whether diabetes affects susceptibility for COVID-19 has yet to be explored. This chapter focuses on both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with the main goal of understanding this chronic condition during the pandemic, based on currently available case studies. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The pancreas and COVID-19: A clinical conundrum

With the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, the classic manifestations of COVID-19 (e.g., persistent fever, dry cough, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the severe disease) have expanded to include less common complications of the extrapulmonary organs. Recent evidence has shown that COVID-19 patients with concomitant presence of GI symptoms are at higher risk of developing severe disease and have poor clinical outcomes. Recently, multiple SARS-CoV-2-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) cases have been reported. This literature review aims to provide an insight into SARS-CoV-2-directed invasion of the pancreas. We will also review the currently available literature on the clinical effects of SARS-CoV-2, including AP and mild elevation of lipase levels in patients with COVID-19. In addition, we will discuss plausible mechanisms that underly SARS-CoV-2-induced pancreatitis.