Prevalence and Impact of Diabetes Mellitus in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Tunisian Center

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and impact of diabetes mellitus on the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Methods: Data of laboratory-confirmed hospitalized patients at the COVID-19 unit of Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital in Kairouan between September 2020 and August 2021 were analysed, in a cross-sectional study. The population was classified into two groups (COVID-19 patients with versus without diabetes). Primary outcomes were the overall length of hospital stay, the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and death.

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has become an evolving worldwide health crisis. With the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus has come an increasing awareness of their impacts on infectious diseases, and the risk for post-infection complications and mortality from critical infections. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and impact of diabetes mellitus on the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Methods: Data of laboratory-confirmed hospitalized patients at the COVID-19 unit of Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital in Kairouan between September 2020 and August 2021 were analysed, in a cross-sectional study. The population was classified into two groups (COVID-19 patients with versus without diabetes). Primary outcomes were the overall length of hospital stay, the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and death. Association between diabetes and death was assessed in a Cox proportional hazards model.