New study points to predictors of outcomes in patients with diabetes and COVID-19
Results from the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Diabetes Outcomes (CORONADO) study have identified variables linked to hospital discharge or to death among patients with diabetes hospitalised for COVID-19, establishing indicative prognostic factors for clinicians during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the study, which was published in Diabetologia in February 2021, protective and deleterious factors mirrored outcomes for discharge from hospital and prognostic factors for death within 28 days.
The study is based on the results of an updated analysis by Professor Bertrand Cariou and Professor Samy Hadjadj, University Hospital Centre Nantes, France and colleagues. Commenting on their findings, the authors explained: “The identification of favourable variables associated with hospital discharge and unfavourable variables associated with death can lead to patient reclassification and help to use resources adequately according to individual patient profile.”
The newest report of the CORONADO study, a French nationwide, multicentre study of patients with diabetes hospitalised for COVID-19, followed on as an update to a preliminary report. The initiative aimed to identify clinical and biological features associated with disease severity and mortality in patients with diabetes hospitalised for COVID-19, with a specific focus on the clinical and biological characteristics of patients discharged home or to a long-term care facility by day 28.
Identifying variables associated with hospital discharge or with death can help us to use resources adequately, according to individual patient profile
The first report published in Diabetologia in May 2020 showed that 10% of patients with diabetes and COVID-19 died within 7 days of hospital admission. BMI, age and micro- and macrovascular diabetic complications were associated with death within 7 days. The follow-up analysis enrolled a larger sample of 2796 patients between 10th March and 10th April 2020 in 68 French hospitals and had a longer follow-up of up to 28 days.
Through data collection and statistical analyses, the new findings showed that within 28 days, 1404 patients (50.2%) were discharged with a median duration of stay in hospital of 9 days and 577 (20.6%) people died. Protective factors positively associated with discharge included younger age, routine metformin therapy and longer symptom duration on admission. Deleterious factors associated with a reduced chance of discharge included history of microvascular complications, anticoagulant routine therapy, dyspnoea on admission and higher aspartate aminotransferase, white cell count and C-reactive protein levels.
Click here to access the articles: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-020-05351-w and https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-020-05180-x.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, Dr Eleanor D Kennedy.
