Correlating Hyperglycemia with Disease Severity in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Background: Previous studies on viral pandemics have indicated that hyperglycemia plays a crucial role in disease severity and mortality, and glycemic control can decrease the length of hospital stay and mortality in patients. Aims: This retrospective study aimed to assess the prevalence of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with Covid-19 and its impact on disease severity, and outcomes. Methods: The study was conducted on 310 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Valiasr Hospital in Birjand, Iran, and data were obtained from the hospital';s health information unit. Patients with incomplete information were excluded from the study. The collected information included demographics, underlying diseases, laboratory test results, chest CT scans and medications. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.22. Results: Results of the study showed that nearly half of the patients with COVID-19 developed hyperglycemia. This group of patients had a significantly higher level of leukocytosis and lymphopenia compared to the normoglycemic group. Additionally, the study';s findings indicated that hyperglycemia can be considered a risk factor for disease severity and mortality. Conclusion: Hyperglycemia is a common finding in hospitalized patients with Covid-19, and it has a significant impact on disease severity and outcomes. Therefore hyperglycemia can be used as a strong predictor in the prognosis of hospitalized Covid-19 patients.