Kolkata, June 2020: The risk of Coronavirus among people with diabetes is up to 50% higher and they are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications when diagnosed with COVID-19. In Kolkata, up to 12% of the population is known to have diabetes and the average level of HbA1C was as high as 8.07% during January to March 2020 according to a report by India Diabetes Care Index. These findings clearly indicate that people with diabetes should be more vigilant about their glucose level and take proper medication to manage their condition.
Dr. Sudip Chatterjee, Consultant Endocrinologist & Honorary Secretary, Park Clinic and Honorary Professor, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata said, “People living with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications from COVID-19. One of the reasons for this could be excessive clotting of the blood. By taking the prescribed medicines regularly, including insulin, its impact can be minimized. To add to this, people with diabetes with adequate metabolic control are less likely to get severe COVID-19 as compared to those with poor control. Insulin is the only therapy for people with type-1 diabetes, and a superior alternative in people with type-2 diabetes as it helps to maintain good metabolic control. I commend the efforts of Nordisk India for reducing the price of Ryzodeg by 30%, a new generation insulin analogue that controls both mealtime and between meals blood sugar levels to provide a total glucose control.”
Diabetes patients should focus on a healthy diet and monitor their glucose level at regular intervals. Elderly people with diabetes and heart related conditions are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Such patients should take appropriate precautions and limit their non-essential movement. An important way people with diabetes can fight the novel coronavirus is by keeping the glucose level under check through effective management of their condition.
