In a new study, researchers found have discovered people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes infected with COVID-19 are three times more likely to have a severe illness or require hospitalization compared with people without diabetes.
Because of this amplified impact, they are urging policymakers to prioritize these patients for COVID-19 vaccination.
The research was conducted by a team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
While studies have suggested that people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for more serious complications and being hospitalized if they get COVID-19, little is known about the risk for individuals with type 1 diabetes.
In the U.S. alone, an estimated 1.6 million individuals have type 1 diabetes.
In the study, the team identified electronic health records (EHRs) of more than 6,000 patients who had a COVID-19 diagnosis during the period from mid-March until the first week of August.
The team then closely reviewed the patients’ medical records to identify additional risk factors and gather more information on how COVID-19 had impacted their health.
They compared the overall impact of COVID-19 for three populations: people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes, and those who did not have diabetes.
They found people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes infected with COVID-19 are three times more likely to have severe COVID-19 or require hospitalization.
The researchers think the data support prioritizing people with type 1 or individuals with type 2 diabetes for immunization alongside other high-risk medical conditions that increase the risk of getting very sick with COVID-19, such as heart or lung disease.
They say people with type 1 diabetes don’t need to live in fear and have undue anxiety, but they need to be really diligent in doing the things people all should be doing.
All people should be washing hands and staying 6 feet apart. They should be conscientious about limiting the time spent with people outside our household.
One author of the study is Justin Gregory, MD, MSCI.
The study is published in Diabetes Care.
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