Fig. 1Outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with diabetes. Diabetes prevalence among (A) all COVID-19 patients, (B) non-severe cases and severe cases, and (C) survivors and non-survivors. (D) Mortality in patients with and without diabetes. DM, diabetes mellitus.
Fig. 2The potential mechanisms linking diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There are several suggested mechanisms that might play a role in an association between diabetes and COVID-19. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia, impaired immune system, pre-existing proinflammatory state, diabetic complications, multiple comorbidities, dysregulated state of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) signaling. SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.
Table 1Korean Diabetes Association coronavirus disease 2019 prevention guideline for patients with diabetes
General health practice |
Refrain from going out or visiting crowded areas. |
Make sure to wash your hands and keep cough etiquette. |
Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. |
Put on a mask before you visit a medical institution, avoid crowds, and avoid contacting someone with fever or respiratory symptoms. |
Avoid personal contact at home as much as possible and always wipe the table, doorknob, and keyboard frequently touched. |
Practice for blood sugar management |
Make sure to keep oral medication and insulin administration more strict than usual. |
Conduct and check self-monitoring of blood sugar more frequently. Once after waking up in the morning, once 2 hours after meals, that is conduct self-monitoring of blood sugar at least twice a day. If the result is consistently higher than usual, visit your doctor or use the phone helpline. |
Limit sugar for eating, have three meals, and balance your diets. Eat enough vegetables and take enough protein as well. |
Drink plenty of water to prevent infection. |
Exercise is necessary in order to maintain immunity. Do a certain amount (minimum 30 minutes) of aerobic exercises regularly every day at home. Do resistance exercise twice a week. |
Contact |
Contact the community healthcare center for such symptoms as a cough, phlegm, and a fever. Contact the doctor for sudden blood sugar increase. If it is difficult to visit the doctor, consult through the phone helpline allowed temporarily. |