Long COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus: a short review

Abstract

The persistence of Covid-19 infection for more than four weeks after the acute phase is defined as the long Covid-19 syndrome. This condition, otherwise defined by the persistence of signs and symptoms for more than 12 weeks, shares several features with diabetes mellitus: diabetes mellitus and Covid-19 infections have a pandemic dimension, are characterized by an inflammatory milieu, and show a bidirectional relationship. Diabetic patients appear more likely to develop long Covid-19 syndrome than non-diabetic individuals. The chronicity of Covid-19 favors the development of new cases of diabetes. In this short review, we discuss the evidence supporting the link between Covid-19 and diabetes mellitus, focusing on the epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of this dangerous relationship.