Scientists from Emory University found diabetes increases the odds that a COVID-19 infection will be severe, and folks with diabetes may be up to four times more likely to develop long-lasting symptoms.
The findings suggest that diabetes may be a risk factor for long COVID, and thus careful monitoring of people with diabetes for development of long COVID may be advised.
The research was presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association 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, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the study, the team examined studies looking at long COVID symptoms in people with and without diabetes. In all, 43% of seven studies included in the new 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 glucose levels and adhere to prescribed glucose-lowering agents where appropriate, to reduce and manage long COVID risk.
Other researchers agree that people with diabetes need to double down on their efforts to stay healthy during this ongoing pandemic.
People with diabetes may have more severe diseases that could manifest over a longer period of time.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 4 dinners people with diabetes should stop eating, and drink these beverages to lose weight and control diabetes.
For more information about COVID, please see recent studies about a new drug that could prevent COVID-19, and results showing scientists find antibodies that can neutralize Omicron.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
