A study published in the Research Square showed that people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections should be screened for diabetes since there is a clinical potential that COVID-19 increases the chance of acquiring diabetes mellitus (DM). 

Between 2020 and 2022, data on 537 suitable newly diagnosed diabetes cases were entered from 61 hospitals in 25 different countries. It was seen that among COVID-19 individuals who had recently been diagnosed with diabetes, the HbA1c readings were above the diagnostic range, indicating pre-existing hyperglycemia.

People who developed new-onset hyperglycemia following SARS-CoV-2 infection showed glycemic levels beyond diagnostic thresholds while maintaining non-diabetic HbA1c levels. According to the findings, 22% of newly diagnosed patients with verified HbA1c levels had just been diagnosed with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in adults (59%) and "not yet identified" diabetes (41%) were the two most prevalent subtypes. Type 1 DM instances were recently diagnosed in two children. After COVID-19 recovery, 39 out of 89 patients (45%) still had hyperglycemia.

The results suggested that COVID-19 alters glucose metabolism in a clinically significant manner. Therefore, diabetes screening is necessary for those who have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Confirming the methods by which the virus obstructs glucose metabolism will require more investigation.

(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230108/Study-suggests-COVID-19-can-cause-diabetes.aspx)