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. 2025 Mar 26;17(3):e81225.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.81225. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Glycemic Control Status After Six Months in Post-COVID-19 Patients

Chowdhury Adnan Sami  1 , Mohammad Ferdous Ur Rahaman  1 , Md Mizanur Rahman Khan  1 , Mohammad Monzurul Alam Bhuiyan  2 , Md Abdul Matin  1 , Hasan M Rashed  1 , Abed H Khan  1 , Shohael Mahmud Arafat  1 , Md Nazmul Hasan  1
Affiliations

Glycemic Control Status After Six Months in Post-COVID-19 Patients

Chowdhury Adnan Sami et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Despite being typically a viral respiratory disease, COVID-19 has harmful effects that go beyond the respiratory system. The endocrine system is particularly susceptible to damage due to the high expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors. This study evaluates glycemic status in survivors of COVID-19. Methodology In this prospective, observational study, 96 individuals were enrolled from the COVID-19 unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Mild and moderate COVID-19 patients were classified as non-severe, whereas severe and critical cases were classified as severe, following the WHO disease severity classification. Follow-ups were conducted at the post-COVID-19 clinic at BSMMU one and six months after diagnosis. Blood samples for fasting blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin measurements were collected within 24 hours of initial diagnosis and during each follow-up at the first and sixth months. Results Of the 96 participants, the non-severe and severe groups consisted of 49 (51%) and 47 (49%) participants, respectively. Among the participants, 62 (63.9%) were men, the mean age was 54.2 (15.9) years, and hypertension was the most common comorbidity (37, 38.5%). After six months, 12 new cases of diabetes (15.4%) were observed, with a male predominance (10, 62%). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that severe COVID-19 was substantially linked to a higher risk of diabetes at six months (odds ratio = 5.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.1-27.7, p = 0.03). Conclusions The study findings showed a significant association between a higher frequency of diabetes and severe COVID-19.

Keywords: covid-19; diabetes mellitus; glycemic control; hyperglycemia; long covid-19; new-onset diabetes; post-covid-19 sequelae.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Review Board (IRB), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University issued approval BSMMU/2021/4699. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: The first author received partial funding from the BSMMU thesis grant for this study. However, the funders played no role in study methodology, analysis, or outcome. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Fasting blood sugar level in the severe and non-severe groups in the hospital and first and six months after discharge.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Fasting blood sugar level in the previously diabetic and non-diabetic group in the hospital and first and six months after discharge.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Glycated hemoglobin level after the first month (A) and six months (B) of discharge in severe and non-severe group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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