Is COVID-19 incriminated in new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus in Lebanese adults?

Abstract

Background: The effects of COVID-19 on the organism are still being investigated, especially after the transformation of this virus from a respiratory disease in its first appearance to a multi-organ disease that can affect nearly all systems and organs including the endocrinological system. The objective of the study was to find an association between COVID-19 infection and new onset type 2 diabetes in Lebanese adults.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study (2019-2022) included 200 subjects, 100 cases with new onset diabetes and 100 controls recruited from endocrinology clinics in rural and suburban located regions of Lebanon. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed.

Results: Older age (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.12), higher BMI (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.17-1.48), having been infected with COVID-19 (aOR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.001-5.68) and having a family history of diabetes (aOR = 11.80; 95% CI 4.23-32.87) were significantly associated with higher odds of having new onset type 2 diabetes after adjusting for multiple risk factors.

Conclusion: In addition to the traditional risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, a recent COVID-19 infection was associated with the new onset DM in our study. Subsequently screening for diabetes should be strongly recommended for patients post COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19 infection; Coronavirus; Diabetes mellitus; New onset diabetes.