Glycemic and lipid profile of patients with COVID-19: Impact on morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that patients with COVID-19, who have underlying diabetes mellitus, develop a severe clinical course and have increased mortality. Similarly, dyslipidemia is a common complication in patients with COVID-19, indicating that there may be a pathophysiological interaction between lipid metabolism and SARS-CoV-2. The main manifestation is hypocholesterolemia, which is associated with severe illness and unfavorable outcome.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of glucose and lipid levels on the progression and outcome of patients with COVID-19 infection.

Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 301 patients who became ill with SARS-CoV-2 and hospitalized during the calendar year 2021. Data were collected from the patients themselves and from their clinical and laboratory follow-up.

Results: A total of 301 patients were included in the study, 56.8 % were male and 82.4 % of patients were not vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 at baseline. The mean age was 66.7 years and the body mass index was 28.8. More specifically 27.6 % had diabetes mellitus and 34.2 % reported known dyslipidemia. The comparison of the course of the disease with the laboratory data of patients, on the day of admission, found that death was more frequently observed in the elderly [83.0 ± 11.0 (p < 0.001)], in patients with abnormal glucose values [159.8 ± 51.4 (p = 0.039)], abnormal creatinine values (p < 0.001), low glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001), lower total cholesterol values (p = 0.044), higher triglycerides values [124 ± 64,8 (p = 0,003)], abnormal CRP values (p < 0.001), cTnT (p = 0.001), D-dimers (p < 0.001), and SatO2 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The present study showed that death was more frequently observed in subjects with hyperglycemia and hypocholesterolemia, and other pathological findings. It is therefore evident that these patients should be a priority in the development of studies and guidelines.

Keywords: COVID-19; Diabetes mellitus; Dyslipidemia; Outcome; SARS-CoV-2.