No evidence of long-term disruption of glycometabolic control after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose To assess whether dysglycaemia diagnosed during SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia may become a potential public health problem after resolution of the infection. In an adult cohort with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia, we integrated glucose data upon hospital admission with fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the year prior to COVID-19 and during post-discharge follow-up. Methods From February 25th to May 15th 2020 660 adults with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia were admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy). Through structured interviews / medical record reviews we collected demographics, clinical features and laboratory tests upon admission and additional data during hospitalization or after discharge and in the previous year. Upon admission, we classified participants according to ADA criteria as having: a) pre-existing diabetes; b) newly diagnosed diabetes; c) hyperglycaemia not in the diabetes range; d) normoglycaemia. FBG prior to admission and during follow-up were classified as normal or impaired fasting glucose and fasting glucose in the diabetes range. Results In patients with confirmed COVID (n=589) the proportion with pre-existing or newly diagnosed diabetes, hyperglycaemia not in the diabetes range and normoglycaemia was 19.6%, 6.7%, 43.7% and 30.0%, respectively. Patients with dysglycaemia associated to COVID-19 had increased markers of inflammation and organs' injury and poorer clinical outcome compared to those with normoglycemia. After the infection resolved, the prevalence of dysglycaemia reverted to pre-admission frequency. Conclusions COVID-19 associated dysglycaemia is unlikely to become a lasting public health problem. Alarmist claims on the diabetes risk after COVID-19 pneumonia should be interpreted with caution.