GLYCEMIC AND ATHEROGENIC STATUS AMONG DUHOK UNIVERSITY STAFF RECOVERED FROM COVID-19 WITH NO COMORBIDITIES

Background: While most infected people recovered completely from COVID-19 within a few weeks, a considerable proportion continues to experience symptoms after their initial recovery similar to SARS survivors. Intensive ongoing research has shed light on the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the extent of damages caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) but the intermediate and long-term complications remain unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the glycemic and atherogenic status in non-hospitalized and recovered covid-19 individuals without underlying diseases prior to the infection. Methods: A total of 200 apparently healthy subjects from all the staff of Duhok University were enrolled in this case-control study. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 107 subjects non-hospitalized recovered from covid-19 at more than 3 months after infection which was proved by RT-PCR and Group 2 included 93 healthy subjects who have not been infected with covid-19 as control group. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for glycemic and atherogenic related parameters. Results: There was no significant differences in blood pressure, glycemic and atherogenic status between previously infected and not infected subjects. However triglycerides (TG) and cardio-protective index (CPI) were slightly and non-significantly higher and low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) lower in previously infected subjects. Also, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and risk of atherogenicity were slightly higher in the infected males, younger ages, older ages and obese subjects. Conclusions: There are no long-term effects of COVID-19 on the glycemic and atherogenic status of the recovered not hospitalized patients.