Persistence of Symptoms Following Infection With COVID-19 Among Patients With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia

Background: In Saudi Arabia, information on the persistence of COVID-19-related complications in diabetic patients, their associations with the type of diabetes mellitus (DM), and the role of uncontrolled DM in the complications remains elusive. This study aims to fill this gap. This study aimed to examine the persistence of COVID-19 complications in diabetic patients.

Method: A simple randomized, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study among patients with type 1 and 2 DM following infection with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Result: In the present study, a total of 674 participants were included. Among the COVID-19 symptoms, fatigue (65.6%) was reported the most frequently, followed by headache (62.3%) and cough (59.8%). About 44% of patients reported high blood sugar levels, including 25.5% with elevated fasting (>126 mg/dL) and 18.5% with elevated postprandial (>200 mg/dL) glucose levels. We also report that age > 55 years [OR= 1.66 (1.01-2.56), p=0.045], anti-diabetic medications [OR= 2.10 (1.82-3.91), p=0.022], multiple comorbidities [OR= 3.21 (1.98-4.85), p=0.005], chest pain [OR= 2.54 (0.96-3.81), p=0.003], and joint pain [OR= 1.64 (0.73-2.94), p=0.025] were independently associated with COVID-19-related complications in diabetic patients.

Conclusion: The most common persistent symptoms in diabetic patients with COVID-19 infection are fatigue, headaches, and cough. Advanced age and use of antidiabetic medications were independently associated with COVID-19-related complications in diabetic patients.