A relação entre a COVID-19 e o aumento de novos casos de diabetes tipo 1: relato de caso

The COVID-19 pandemic has had effects beyond the respiratory system, including an increased risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case report describes a young female patient with no previous history of diabetes or autoimmune diseases who presented with the classic clinical manifestations of T1DM following coronavirus infection. The patient reported polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss several weeks after the infection. Laboratory tests were subsequently performed to confirm the diagnosis, and insulin therapy was initiated. This case supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may trigger T1DM, possibly through pancreatic injury mediated by the interaction between the virus and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), an enzyme expressed in the pancreas. Despite the suggested association, the literature has methodological limitations, including the retrospective nature of studies and the difficulty of controlling for genetic and environmental factors. The establishment of a Global Registry of COVID-19-Associated Diabetes may provide more robust data to further investigate this association.