Insulin resistance in COVID-19 and diabetes

Background: The epidemiology of COVID-19 and its association with cardiometabolic disorders is poorly understood. This is a narrative review that investigates the effects of COVID-19 infection on insulin resistance in patients with diabetes. Methods: An online search of all published literature was done via PubMed and Google Scholar using the MeSH terms COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Only articles that were directly applicable to insulin resistance in COVID-19 and diabetes was reviewed . Results: Current data shows an increased risk of mortality in patients with diabetes and COVID-19 compared to those without diabetes. COVID-19 triggers insulin resistance in patients, causing chronic metabolic disorders that were non-existent prior to infection. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than those without dia-betes. ACE2 expression decreases with infection, exaggerating Ang II activity with subsequent insulin resistance development, an exaggerated immune response and severe SARS-COV-2 infection. (c) 2021 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

COVID-19 infection can lead to insulin resistance in patients with diabetes, increasing the risk of mortality. Patients with diabetes are more susceptible to COVID-19, which may trigger chronic metabolic disorders after infection.