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Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19: Review Article.
Nassar, M, Daoud, A, Nso, N, Medina, L, Ghernautan, V, Bhangoo, H, Nyein, A, Mohamed, M, Alqassieh, A, Soliman, K, et al
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2021;(6):102268
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We aim to cover most of the current evidence on the mutual effect of diabetes & COVID-19 infection on each other and the management of the COVID-19 patients with diabetes. METHODS We utilized databases to review the current evidence related to diabetes mellitus and COVID-19. RESULTS We discussed the most recent evidence of diabetes milieus and COVID-19 regarding risk factors, management, complications, and telemedicine. CONCLUSION Diabetes mellitus is associated with a significant risk of complications, extended hospital stays, and mortality in COVID-19 infected patients.
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Anti-inflammatory properties of antidiabetic drugs: A "promised land" in the COVID-19 era?
Katsiki, N, Ferrannini, E
Journal of diabetes and its complications. 2020;(12):107723
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Inflammation is implicated in the development and severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Diabetes, especially when uncontrolled, is also recognized as an important risk factor for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, certain inflammatory markers [i.e. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and ferritin] were reported as strong predictors of worse outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients. The same biomarkers have been associated with poor glycemic control. Therefore, achieving euglycemia in patients with diabetes is even more important in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the above, it is clinically interesting to elucidate whether antidiabetic drugs may reduce inflammation, thus possibly minimizing the risk for COVID-19 development and severity. The present narrative review discusses the potential anti-inflammatory properties of certain antidiabetic drugs (i.e. metformin, pioglitazone, sitagliptin, linagliptin, vildagliptin, alogliptin, saxagliptin, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide, semaglutide, empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin), with a focus on CRP, IL-6 and ferritin.
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Clinical considerations in patients with diabetes during times of COVID19: An update on lifestyle factors and antihyperglycemic drugs with focus on India.
Gupta, R, Misra, A
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2020;(6):1777-1781
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BACKGROUND Diabetes is recognized as an important comorbidity in patients with COVID-19 and a large amount of literature has become available regarding this. The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding various aspects of association between diabetes and COVID-19 and to highlight clinically relevant points with focus on India. METHODS We searched Pubmed and Google Scholar databases for articles regarding diabetes and COVID-19 published between March 19, 2020 and August 30, 2020. RESULTS Diabetes and poor glycemic control are associated with increased severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Several clinical scenarios about hyperglycemia and COVID-19 are identified and each of these needs specific management strategies. CONCLUSION It is prudent to maintain good glycemic control in patients with diabetes in order to minimize the complications of COVID-19. There is a need for well conducted studies to asses the role of individual antihyperglycemic therapies in COVID-19 and also the behavior of new onset diabetes diagnosed either after COVID-19 infection or during this time.
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Metformin and COVID-19: From cellular mechanisms to reduced mortality.
Scheen, AJ
Diabetes & metabolism. 2020;(6):423-426
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with both poorer clinical outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased risk of death in such hospitalized patients. While the role of glucose control has been emphasized to improve the prognosis, the impact of different glucose-lowering agents remains largely unknown. Metformin remains the first-line pharmacological choice for the management of hyperglycaemia in T2DM. Because metformin exerts various effects beyond its glucose-lowering action, among which are anti-inflammatory effects, it may be speculated that this biguanide might positively influence the prognosis of patients with T2DM hospitalized for COVID-19. The present concise review summarizes the available data from observational retrospective studies that have shown a reduction in mortality in metformin users compared with non-users, and briefly discusses the potential underlying mechanisms that might perhaps explain this favourable impact. However, given the potential confounders inherently found in observational studies, caution is required before drawing any firm conclusions in the absence of randomized controlled trials.