Long-term persistent symptoms of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes mellitus

Ahmed Mechi; Alhan Al-Khalidi; Rasha Al-Darraji; Mohammed Noori Al-Dujaili; Karrar Al-Buthabhak; Mohammed Alareedh; Foaad Shaghee; Hussein Nafakhi

doi:10.1007/s13410-021-00994-w

Long-term persistent symptoms of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes mellitus

Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries. 2022 Jan;42(1):49-52. doi: 10.1007/s13410-021-00994-w. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Authors

Ahmed Mechi¹, Alhan Al-Khalidi², Rasha Al-Darraji³, Mohammed Noori Al-Dujaili¹, Karrar Al-Buthabhak¹, Mohammed Alareedh¹, Foaad Shaghee², Hussein Nafakhi¹

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine Department, Medicine College, University of Kufa, P.O. 21, Kufa, Najaf Iraq.
² Internal Medicine Department, Medicine College, Faculty of Medicine, Jabir Ibn Hayyan Medical University, Najaf, Iraq.
³ Allergy and Asthma Center, Al-Sader Teaching Hospital, Najaf Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Najaf, Iraq.

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to assess the long-term persistent symptoms of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19 infection at 9 months after acute infection.

Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted from May 20 to June 1, 2021.

Results: A total of 112 patients were included in the present study. The most frequently reported persistent symptoms among DM group were fatigue (p = 0.01), shortness of breath (p = 0.01), and chest pain (p = 0.02) compared to non-DM group. Sulfonylurea use was associated with persistent cough (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Long-term persistent symptoms of COVID-19 infection are common among patients with DM.

Keywords: COVID-19; DM; Long term; Symptoms.