In a recent study published in Science Advance, Université de Montréal researchers found the amount of a SARS-CoV-2 genetic material—viral RNA—in the blood is a reliable indicator in detecting which patients will die of the disease.
They analyzed blood samples collected from 279 patients during their hospitalization for COVID-19, ranging in degrees of severity from moderate to critical.
Samples were collected 11 days after the onset of symptoms and patients were monitored for a minimum of 60 days after that.
The team successfully developed and validated a statistical model based on one blood biomarker, viral RNA.
They found that the amount of viral RNA in the blood was directly associated with mortality and provided the best predictive response.
The team then confirmed the effectiveness on two independent cohorts of infected patients.
It made no difference which hospital the patients were treated at, nor which period of the pandemic they fell into: in all cases, the predictive model worked.
In another study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers found people with type 2 diabetes who contract COVID-19 are nearly 50% more likely to wind up in intensive care if they have poorly managed their blood sugar levels over the long term.
They looked at records for more than 16,000 people with type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 between 2017 and 2020.
They found that two- to three-year longitudinal glycemic levels better indicate the risk of COVID-19 severity than measurements that look at a shorter period of time.
Chronic high blood sugar levels, typically tracked as the percentage of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) found in the blood, can damage a variety of functions, including the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems.
The team found those with poor glycemic control were 48% more likely to require treatment in an intensive care unit.
By another measure, a 1% increase in longitudinal HbA1c is directly associated with a 12% increase in the risk of landing in the ICU.
They also showed that diabetics who were taking metformin when they contract COVID-19 face a 12% lower risk of visiting the ICU, those on metformin and insulin have an 18% lower risk, and those prescribed corticosteroids have a 29% lower risk.
The team hopes these insights aid physicians in better treating and managing high-risk patients.
If you care about Covid, please read studies about why some people are less naturally resistant to COVID-19, and cannabis addiction that could increase COVID-19 risk.
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