Undiagnosed diabetes is very common in India. ‘’A lot of people in India have borderline diabetes prior to getting infected. COVID-19 acts as a stressor and probably precipitates diabetes,’’ says Dr Pradeep Gadge, a diabetologist based in Mumbai.
COVID-19 survivors are more prone to diabetes, especially the ones who have suffered severe infections.
The coronavirus possesses beta cell numbing effect, causing onset of diabetes especially type 2 diabetes, says Gadge. “However, I haven’t seen any cases of type 1 diabetes post Covid infection in any of my patients till now, though that possibility also remains,” he says.
Gadge attributes the increased incidence of diabetes among COVID-19 survivors to factors ranging from the virus itself to steroids given during treatment and mental or body distress the person goes through during isolation. ‘’There is a strong correlation between COVID-19 and diabetes. Covid survivors are more likely to get diabetes post recovery,’’ he says.
Dr V. Mohan, chairman and chief of diabetology at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre agrees with Gadge. “Due to the lockdown, many would have stopped exercising. They would have put on weight. Obesity is on the rise. All these contribute to an increase in the incidence of diabetes,’’ says Mohan.
There is also a view that COVID-19 directly attacks the pancreatic beta cells and induces diabetes. ‘’But it still remains a theory which has not yet been proven and more work is needed on it,’’ he adds.
Mohan says it is important for people with diabetes to keep their sugar levels under control. Medicines for diabetes may be continued, if COVID-19 symptoms are mild. If the symptoms are severe, the patient may be started on insulin, as the steroids used in the treatment of COVID-19 could further increase one’s sugar levels.