It is recommended that people with diabetes and related conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease take the COVID-19 vaccines as early as possible. According to A. Ramachandran, chairman and managing director of Diabetes Hospitals (ARH) by Dr. A. Ramachandran, people are at greater risk of complications when infected with COVID-19.
In a webinar on “Diabetes Management During COVID-19” held as part of the Hindu Wellness Series presented by Diahome and ARH, he said that non-COVID-19 medical care was a victim during the pandemic.
“Many patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease who require regular medical care have been suffering from the pandemic for more than a year. These diseases, especially diabetes, are also age-related and increase the risk of complications and undesirable side effects from COVID-19 infection, ”he said.
It has been estimated that about 80% of deaths during COVID-19 occurred in people with comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, he said, adding that their study of 1,000 patients hospitalized in Chennai for COVID-19 , found that mortality was twice as high in diabetics as compared to those without diabetes, and all complications were significantly higher in diabetic patients.
“We also found that the level of diabetes control correlates directly with the negative consequences of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, keeping diabetes under control during COVID-19 is of paramount importance, ”he said.
Nanditha Arun, director and consultant diabetologist, ARH, said that higher HbA1C, which indicates blood sugar levels in the three months prior to the test, increases the risk of complications and death from COVID-19. An HbA1C greater than eight indicates poor glycemic control.
“In previously non-diabetics, there are new manifestations of high glucose that we find in some patients with COVID-19 infections – stress-induced hyperglycemia and emerging diabetes – which is strange,” she said.
As a recommendation after COVID-19, she said patients with diabetes should regularly measure blood sugar, create a good eating plan, and begin exercise under medical guidance.
Arun Raghavan, Director and Consulting Diabetologist, ARH, highlighted the importance of vaccination, saying that those with diabetes, high blood pressure and other high-risk comorbidities should get vaccinated at the earliest.
He explained Diahome (Diabetes Care Comes Home), an ARH app that could provide comprehensive diabetes care at home.
