COVID-19 pandemic, coronaviruses, and diabetes mellitus

• Published in: American journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 318; no. 5; pp. E736 - E741
• Main Authors: Muniyappa, Ranganath, Gubbi, Sriram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Physiological Society 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Betacoronavirus - immunology; Betacoronavirus - pathogenicity; Coronaviridae; Coronavirus Infections - immunology; Coronavirus Infections - mortality; Coronavirus Infections - physiopathology; Coronavirus Infections - virology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - immunology; Diabetes Mellitus - mortality; Host Microbial Interactions - immunology; Humans; Hypertension; Immune response; Morbidity; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - immunology; Pneumonia, Viral - mortality; Pneumonia, Viral - physiopathology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Respiratory diseases; Risk Assessment; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Uncertainty; United States - epidemiology; Viral diseases; United States; COVID-19; coronavirus; diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 0193-1849; 1522-1555
• DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00124.2020

The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Older age and presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity significantly increases the risk for hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients. In this Perspective, informed by the studies on SARS-CoV-2, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), and the current literature on SARS-CoV-2, we discuss potential mechanisms by which diabetes modulates the host-viral interactions and host-immune responses. We hope to highlight gaps in knowledge that require further studies pertinent to COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.