The impact of type 2 diabetes and its management on the prognosis of patients with severe COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Although type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop a more severe condition compared to those without diabetes, the mechanisms for this are unknown. Moreover, the impact of treatment with antihyperglycemic drugs and glucocorticoids is unclear.

METHODS

From 1584 COVID-19 patients, 364 severe/critical COVID-19 patients with clinical outcome were enrolled for the final analysis, and patients without preexisting T2DM but elevated glucose levels were excluded. Epidemiological data were obtained and clinical status evaluation carried out to assess the impact of T2DM and its management on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 364 enrolled severe COVID-19 inpatients, 114 (31.3%) had a history of T2DM. Twenty-seven (23.7%) T2DM patients died, who had more severe inflammation, coagulation activation, myocardia injury, hepatic injury, and kidney injury compared with non-DM patients. In severe COVID-19 patients with T2DM, we demonstrated a higher risk of all-cause fatality with glucocorticoid treatment (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.61; 95% CI, 1.14-11.46; P = .029) and severe hyperglycemia (fasting plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L; adjusted HR, 11.86; 95% CI, 1.21-116.44; P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

T2DM status aggravated the clinical condition of COVID-19 patients and increased their critical illness risk. Poor fasting blood glucose (≥ 11.1 mmol/L) and glucocorticoid treatment are associated with poor prognosis for T2DM patients with severe COVID-19.

Antidiabetic drug use trends in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

There is little information on medication use, trends across time, and the impact of guidelines on appropriate use of antidiabetic drugs in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2016 was carried out for participants with T2DM with and without CKD. Multivariate survey-weighted regression models were used to evaluate trends in antidiabetic drug use across the time periods and CKD severity. Guideline-discordant use of metformin and glyburide were assessed among those with glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine-based contraindications.

RESULTS

Out of 3237 study participants with T2DM, 35.9% had CKD. Comparing 2013-2016 with 2005-2008, use of metformin (non-CKD: 69% vs 83.8%, CKD: 58.6% vs 68.2%) increased, whereas the use of sulfonylureas (non-CKD: 46.3% vs 27.2%, CKD: 54.7% vs 36.6%) and thiazolidinediones (non-CKD: 29.3% vs 3.9%, CKD: 24.6% vs 5.5%) decreased. In combined NHANES cycles and across stages of CKD severity, metformin use decreased (non-CKD, stage 1/2, stage 3, stage 4/5: 78.4%, 69.5%, 54.6%, 4.9%, respectively; P < .01), and insulin use increased (18.5%, 26.8%, 25%, 52.8%, respectively; P < .01) from non-CKD to progressed CKD. Guideline-discordant use of metformin and glyburide was observed in 8.3% and 2.8% of the participants, respectively, in 2013-2016.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of particular antidiabetic medications in patients with CKD changed noticeably over the years, most in accordance with guidelines and regulatory decisions. Gaps in quality of care still exist, which warrants increasing awareness and implementing programs to mitigate inappropriate use.