COVID-19 Viral Infection Presenting With Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome, or Mixed Hyperglycemic Crisis: A Case Series.

Cardiovascular disease, COPD, and diabetes (DM) are associated with increased complications with COVID-19. A correlation between COVID-19 and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS) has been suggested; however, the precise mechanism remains unclear. We present a case series of six patients with COVID-19 infections who were found to have DKA, HHS, or mixed picture. Wedescribe an association between COVID-19 and hyperglycemic emergencies. Six patients (50% male, 50% female, mean age 47.667 ± 18.747) were identified from November 2021 to February 2022. Comorbidities included DM (83.3%), HTN (50%), as well as ESRD, A-Fib, ISLD, HIV, and dementia (each 16.7%). Common review of systems included nausea and vomiting (50%), abdominal pain (33.3%), dyspnea (33.3%), and decreased appetite (33.3%). Additional findings were dysarthria, facial droop, generalized weakness, productive cough, myalgias, and increased urinary frequency (16.7%). Patients were diagnosed with DKA (50%), mixed process (33.3%), andHHS(16.7%). In terms of COVID-19 symptoms, most patients were asymptomatic (83.3%), with one patient developing hypoxia. The survival rate was 100%. Infections can incite DKA/HHS; yet, COVID-19 may have factors that amplify this process, in the setting of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction from the virus itself. This may contribute to why diabetic patients have a ten times higher risk of death if they develop COVID-19. This virus binds to ACE2 receptors in the pancreas and damages the islets, ultimately decreasing insulin release. Here, we introduce cases of DKA/HHS in the setting of COVID-19, to understand the relationship between how COVID-19 infections may exacerbate diabetic complications.

COVID-19 Related Predisposition to Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Background and aims Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can exacerbate hyperglycemia and can cause life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The objective of this study is to compare the characteristics of diabetic COVID-19 patients with and without DKA and to determine the predictors of mortality in the setting of COVID-19 and DKA. Methods This is a retrospective single-center cohort study including patients admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 and DM from March 2020 to June 2020. Patients with DKA were filtered as per the diagnostic criteria set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Patients with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) were excluded. A retrospective analysis was performed, which included those who developed DKA and those with neither DKA nor HHS. The primary outcome measurement was mortality rate and predictors of mortality for DKA. Results Out of 301 patients with COVID-19 and DM, 30 (10%) had DKA and five (1.7%) had HHS. Mortality was significantly higher in the DKA group compared to the non-DKA/HHS group (36.6% vs 19.5%; OR: 2.38; p=0.03). After adjusting for parameters used for multivariate logistic model for mortality, DKA was no longer associated with mortality (OR: 2.08, p=0.35). The independent predictors for mortality were age, platelet count, serum creatinine, C-reactive protein, hypoxic respiratory failure, need for intubation, and need for vasopressors. Conclusion Our study demonstrates higher mortality rate in diabetic COVID-19 patients with DKA. Though direct and independent statistical association of mortality with DKA could not be proven in our multivariate logistic model, physicians must be vigilant in risk-stratifying and managing these patients in a timely manner.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Hyperglycemia-Is There a Need for Postvaccination Surveillance?

The COVID-19 vaccines currently in use have undoubtedly played the most significant role in combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus and reducing disease severity and the risk of death among those affected, especially among those with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes. The management of blood glucose levels has become critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where data show two- to threefold higher intensive care hospital admissions and more than twice the mortality rate among diabetic COVID-19 patients when compared with their nondiabetic counterparts. Furthermore, new-onset diabetes and severe hyperglycemia-related complications, such as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), were reported in COVID-19 patients. However, irrespective of the kind of vaccine and dosage number, possible vaccination-induced hyperglycemia and associated complications were reported among vaccinated individuals. The current article summarizes the available case reports on COVID-19 vaccination-induced hyperglycemia, the possible molecular mechanism responsible for this phenomenon, and the outstanding questions that need to be addressed and discusses the need to identify at-risk individuals and promote postvaccination monitoring/surveillance among at-risk individuals.