Glycemic fluctuations caused by COVID-19: Results from continuous glucose monitoring

Aim: We aimed to address the potential impact of COVID-19 on glycemic patterns in a small pilot study.

Method: 13 patients with mild COVID-19 who were confirmed without diabetes and another group of 18 healthy individuals with available CGM data were well matched and enrolled into the final analysis.

Results: We noticed significantly higher TARs of >140 mg/dL (median 13.9% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.006), >160 mg/dL (median 4.7% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.011) and >180 mg/dL (median 1.9% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.007) among non-diabetic patients with COVID-19 than those among healthy individuals. There was no significant difference in TBR of <70 mg/dL or <54 mg/dL (all P > 0.1). Consequently, the TIR of 70 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL was significantly lower in non-diabetic patients with COVID-19 than that in healthy individuals (median 80.1% vs. 93.1%, P = 0.001). Significant postprandial glycemic fluctuations were observed among patients with COVID-19. There was a remarkable difference in CV in non-diabetic patients with COVID-19 compared to healthy individuals (median 25.6% vs. 15.7%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Significant higher glycemic fluctuation and exposure to hyperglycemia was associated with COVID-19 among previously normoglycemic individuals, characterized with potentially impaired glucose tolerance.