Scientists from Emory University found that diabetes increases the risk that a COVID-19 infection will be severe, and people with diabetes may be up to four times more likely to develop long COVID.
The findings suggest diabetes may be a risk factor for long COVID, and thus careful monitoring of people with diabetes for the development of long COVID may be advised.
The research was presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes and was conducted by Jessica Harding et al.
Long COVID symptoms run the gamut from fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough to brain fog, dizziness, and changes in taste or smell.
These symptoms may come and go or persist and can last for months after the initial COVID infection.
In the study, the team examined research findings looking at long COVID symptoms in people with and without diabetes.
In all, 43% of seven studies included in their analysis identified diabetes as a potent risk factor for long COVID.
The team says vaccines, boosters, and masks are the best prevention for initial COVID-19 infection.
However, if infected, it may be advisable for someone with diabetes to regularly monitor blood sugar and adhere to prescribed glucose-lowering agents where appropriate, to reduce and manage long COVID risk.
Researchers say that people with diabetes need to double down on their efforts to stay healthy during this ongoing pandemic.
The message is clear: Get vaccinated. It’s equally important to keep your blood sugar in check if you have diabetes.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about the cause of blood clots in severe COVID-19, and vegetables and coffee may protect against COVID-19.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about ‘warm vaccine’ to fight all COVID-19 variants, and results showing this diabetes drug could treat lung inflammation in COVID-19.
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