Reports: Diabetes increases risk from COVID-19

Studies show COVID-19 patients who have diabetes are more likely to have a worse prognosis than those who don't, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

And they have an increased risk of death.

Diabetes is more common among those with severe COVID-19, according to a DHSS news release

One of the studies - from Diabetologia, a monthly peer-review journal focused on diabetes - indicated 24 percent of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 had pre-diabetes (a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes). Hospitals in Wuhan Province in China said diabetic patients were more likely to require hospitalization and admission to an intensive care unit.

Studies in England show hospitalized COVID-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes were more at risk for death.

A number of factors affect prognoses or risk of death from COVID-19, according to DHSS. But doctors confirm worse outcomes for people with multiple conditions, including diabetes. Each additional factor increases the risk for more severe cases of COVID-19.

Having diabetes or pre-diabetes negatively affects all health outcomes. It can increase risk for many serious health problems, including diabetic neuropathy, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, heart attacks and more.

Every year, about 38,000 people in Missouri are diagnosed with diabetes. People vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes may reverse their risk through healthy eating and physical activity.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program shows people with pre-diabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change can cut risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent (71 percent for people older than 60).

Visit reverseyourrisk.com to find a program and resources, and to take a short quiz to see if you are at risk of developing diabetes.