Coronavirus infection raises the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research.



A possible linkage had been identified earlier in the epidemic, but experts have now validated the link, claiming it was in fact "a real risk" related with COVID-19, after a study.

They also discovered that immunization appeared to reduce the likelihood of developing new-onset diabetes after infection.

The researchers stated they had made progress in recognizing and treating a disorder connected to COVID and its aftereffects by publishing their findings in the journal JAMA Network Open.

The research  also indicates that the risk of Type 2 diabetes appeared to be reduced in people who had already been vaccinated against COVID-19 when they were infected.

To estimate increased diabetes rates, researchers examined medical data from 23,709 adult patients who had at least one verified COVID-19 infection and were treated at Cedars-Sinai Health Center in Los Angeles between 2020 and 2022. The typical patient was 47 years old, with 54% being female.


Study findings:

The cumulative risk of type 2 diabetes following COVID-19 exposure - accounting for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals - was 2.1 percent, with 70% occurring after COVID-19 infection and 30% occurring prior to COVID-19 exposure.

The risk of type 2 diabetes following COVID-19 exposure was 2.7% in unvaccinated patients and 1% in vaccinated people.

These findings imply that COVID-19 immunization before to infection may have a protective impact against diabetes risk.

Although further study is needed to corroborate this idea, researchers continue to believe that COVID-19 immunization is an essential strategy in defending against COVID-19 and the still-uncertain hazards that patients may face during the post-infection phase.


Throughout the study period:

-The combined risk of Type 2 diabetes following COVID-19 exposure was 2.1%, accounting for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, with 70% occurring after COVID-19 infection and 30% occurring before to COVID-19 exposure.

- Among unvaccinated individuals, the risk of Type 2 diabetes following COVID-19 exposure was 2.7%, with 74% occurring after COVID-19 infection and 26% occurring prior to COVID-19 exposure.

- Among vaccinated patients, the risk of Type 2 diabetes following COVID-19 exposure was 1.0%, with 51% occurring after COVID-19 infection and 49% occurring prior to COVID-19 exposure.


The trend is worrying since the majority of people in the United States will ultimately become infected with COVID-19. "This research study helps us understand—and better plan for—the post-COVID-19 era of cardiovascular risk," said Alan Kwan, MD, the study's first and corresponding author and a cardiovascular physician at Cedars-Smidt Sinai's Heart Institute.


Study conclusions

Diabetes disrupts normal metabolism and metabolic processes by preventing the pancreas from making adequate insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose and amino acid levels. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attack and stroke because it damages crucial organs and blood arteries.

In the United States, an estimated 26 million people are affected by the condition.

According to Kwan, this discovery is one piece of the jigsaw that will assist researchers understand how to avoid metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in the future.

"As we learn to live with COVID-19, we must also be prepared to detect and treat the many problems associated with its aftereffects," Kwan explained. "With every research study we do, our ultimate objective is to identify ways to keep individuals healthy and able to engage in their daily activities and lives."