Patients with diabetes at risk in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread rapidly from the outbreak in Wuhan, China with a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to fatal. Individuals from the risk factor category, includ-ing those with diabetes mellitus (DM), have a proven higher risk of developing a severe form of the disease, as well as a higher risk of mortality. Through this summary we aim to briefly review the general characteristics of COVID-19 and a special situation, namely that of infection in patients with diabetes. We addressed the potential mechanisms that may increase the susceptibility of diabetic patients to COVID-19, but also the current recommendations in Romania for diabetics in the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on current limited evidence we cannot draw conclusions. Further research on this association between COVID-19 and DM is necessary and justified.