Metabolic alkalosis in type 2 diabetic patients with severe COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly notifiable pneumonia disease spreading rapidly and causes disability and deaths worldwide. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic disorder, is suggested as one of the risk factors of COVID-19 and contributes to its severity and mortality. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics of the patients suffered from severe COVID-19 in order to provide proper treat-ments. Method(s) This study retrospectively reviewed data of 24 patients with severe COVID-19. Eleven patients with T2D and 13 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were compared by various indicators and followed by statistical analysis. Result(s) In the T2D group, arterial blood pH, serum bicarbonate (SB), actual bicarbonate (AB), whole blood alkaline excess (BE), and base excess in the extracellular fluid Compartment (BEecf) significantly exceeded the up-per limit of stock. The pH and SB in the T2D group were considerably higher than those of the NGT group (P<0.05). After treated for more than two days with both the herbal prescription of traditional Chinese medicine and beraprost sodium, breathing difficulties as well as metabolic alkalosis were significantly improved. Conclusion(s) Severe lung damages in T2D patients with severe COVID-19 might behave as a mixed acid-alkaline imbalance disorder due to metabolic alkalosis. Breathing difficulties and metabolic alkalosis could be improved after the treated with traditional Chinese medicine and beraprost sodium. Although a small number of patients were included in this study, our findings provide an efficient indicator for treating T2D diabetic patients with severe COVID-19. Copyright © 2022, E-Century Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.