Impact of blood glucose control on clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection

Our study evaluates the interconnection between diabetes treatment in the community setting and diabetes treatment regimens in these patients during hospitalization. Methods The patients were divided into four groups according to blood glucose level during hospitalization. Group 1 included patients with an average blood glucose <= 140 mg/dl, Group 2 included patients with an average blood glucose level between 140 and 180 mg/dl, Group 3 included patients whose blood glucose level was between 180 and 250 mg/dl, and Group 4 included patients with average blood glucose >250 mg/dl. In all subjects, we assessed preadmission diabetes treatment and prior diagnoses of major comorbidities (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, chronic renal disease, chronic pulmonary diseases, and dementia. Results Significant predictors of mortality were the severity of COVID-19 (OR 62, CI 95%; 18-235, p < .000), acute renal failure (OR 3.2, CI 95% - 1.26-8.2; p = .015), and a diagnosis of congestive heart failure before hospitalization (OR 2.6; CI 95% 1.14-6.8; p = .024). Lower preadmission HbA1c levels, insulin treatment in the hospital, SGLT-2 treatment before, and absence of acute renal failure are significant predictors of good glycemic control during hospitalization. Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized with COVID-19, poor long-term glycemic control is associated with the level of hyperglycemia during hospitalization.