Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus During COVID-19: The New Pandemic - A Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose of review: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a spike in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (NDDM). NDDM and COVID-19 infection are not well established as a cause-and-effect relationship; hence, the present review aims to define the underlying causes and consequences of COVID-19 infection in relation to the condition.

Recent findings: β-Cells are infiltrated by SARS-CoV-2, causing glycometabolic dysfunction and insulin dysregulation. The disease causes systemic inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as hormonal changes that lead to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia that are difficult to manage. As a result of NDDM, complications related to COVID-19 infection become more severe.

Summary: NDDM related to COVID-19 infection complicates hospitalization outcomes and adversely affects quality of life in patients. There are many possible causes and consequences associated with NDDM, but for establishing preventive measures and treatments for NDDM, more evidence regarding its epidemiology, physiopathology, etiology, and nutritional aspects is required.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hyperglycemia; New-onset diabetes; Newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus; SARS-CoV-2.

Fig. 1

Causes of glycometabolic disruptions during COVID-19 infection. Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 and pancreatic β-cells and molecular components needed for viral infiltration in the cells and systemic inflammation and its effects on increasing cytokine levels as the cause glycometabolic disruption. Adapted from: Steenblock C, Richter S, Berger I, et al. [5] Montefusco, L, Ben Nasr, M, D’Addio, F. et al. [••], Wu CT, Lidsky PV, Xiao Y. et al. [••], and Müller, J.A., Groß, R., Conzelmann, C. et al. [28]