SARS-CoV-2 and diabetes: New challenges for the disease

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2020 Jun:164:108228. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108228. Epub 2020 May 22.

Abstract

A novel small enveloped RNA virus with the typical characteristic of the family to which it belongs, a crown, hence the name coronavirus, appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and subdued the world to its influence. The particular severity of the disease and higher mortality rates in patients with associated morbidities, including hypertension, obesity and diabetes, increases the concern over the consequences of this pandemic. In this review, the features of SARS-CoV-2 will be addressed, as well as the reasons why it poses a particular challenge to diabetic patients. We will also highlight the recent treatment strategies being explored to control this pandemic. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the correct management of diabetes in those patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is of utmost importance for the viral disease progression, therefore, the importance of blood glucose control will also be addressed.

Keywords: ACE inhibitors; ACE-2; COVID-19; Diabetes; Glycemic control; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / metabolism*
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / virology*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood
  • Pneumonia, Viral / metabolism*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Blood Glucose