Can COVID-19 Trigger Diabetes? | Philstar.com

The coronavirus is not only more deadly for people with diabetes, it also triggers metabolic disease in many people who did not have it before.

According to Dr. Eleonor Du, outgoing president of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology, there have been reports of increased incidence of type 1 diabetes in patients with COVID-19.

“In fact, two studies in Europe have shown how often diabetes (type 1) seems to strike COVID-19 survivors,” notes Dr. Du, during “The Choice to Live Free: Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Diabetes in the time of COVID-19 ”, a virtual round table via Webex.

While still not based on evidence, some doctors suspect that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can damage the pancreas, the gland that makes insulin, which is needed to convert blood sugar into energy.

“We know for a fact that type 1 diabetes could be triggered by a viral infection,” says Dr. Du. “And a recent study in mice reveals how enterovirus (coxsackievirus) could induce diabetes.” Enteroviruses are suspected of contributing to the loss of insulin-producing β cells and hyperglycemia-induced diabetes.

The sedentary lifestyle brought on by the blockages could be another factor, as could late diagnoses, as most patients refrain from going to their doctor’s clinics for fear of contracting the virus.

“Even mild cases of COVID-19 in some children can be followed by a rapid onset of diabetes,” adds Dr. Du. “And vice versa. Children with and without diabetes are not exempt from being infected with COVID-19. In our public hospitals, we already have more than 1,000 pediatric cases of COVID since March 2020.”

Most children severely affected by COVID-19 have other illnesses such as congenital heart disease, kidney problems, cancers, and viral infections like tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia.

“Raising their blood sugar increases the risk of serious infection,” says Dr. Du. “When blood sugar is not controlled, the body will be in a state of stress and imbalance. The immune system weakens, making it vulnerable to infections. And since the body’s defense is interrupted, it cannot fight off infections.

Managing Diabetes in the Era of COVID

More than 400 million people around the world are diagnosed with diabetes. In the Philippines, eight percent of Filipinos are already pre-diabetic without their knowing it. Indeed, “mabuti pa ang langgam – alam.”

Early detection and treatment of diabetes, especially during a pandemic, is indeed an important step in keeping people with diabetes healthy.

I am aware of all this because my father and my husband are diabetic, and I lost my dear sister to the complications of this debilitating disease, which could have been avoided if she had been aware of its risks and taken action. Consequently.

“Prediabetics is a cut below diabetes,” says Dr. Jeremy Robles, past president of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. “If these patients don’t take care of themselves, they will also end up with diabetes. “

Some of the common risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes include family history, age, and race. Knowing these risk factors is crucial to help identify which ones can be controlled and which ones are unavoidable.

Knowing is not enough. Doing something about what you already know is very important. And so once you know you’re at risk, see your doctor right away.

“This way, we can assess your condition and perform the laboratory tests necessary for better management of your condition,” notes Dr. Robles.

When you have diabetes, you don’t just have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). You also have to deal with episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

“This is why regular blood sugar monitoring is very important,” advises Dr Robles.

In people with normal glucose tolerance, blood sugar is automatically monitored and controlled by the body. After eating, the body releases enough insulin to keep plasma blood sugar levels within a normal range and usually returns to pre-meal levels within two to three hours. But this is not the case with diabetic patients. Their bodies have little or no automatic blood sugar control. And so after eating, they often experience prolonged periods of high blood sugar.

“Uncontrolled blood sugar levels could lead to long-term complications like heart and kidney disease, nerve damage and vision problems, among others,” warns Dr. Robles. “Regular blood sugar monitoring is one way for people with diabetes and their doctors to better manage their condition. “

The downside is that using an invasive glucose meter (to check your blood sugar) is painful. No matter how small and thin the needle is, the pain is still there. While some people have become accustomed to it, it can be problematic for others, especially children with diabetes.

Pediatric Diabetes Care

Around 1.1 million children and adolescents live with type 1 diabetes worldwide. In the Philippines, type 1 diabetes in children accounts for 8.5 percent.

Potential factors such as weight and inactivity affected by the pandemic can potentially complicate the management of diabetes in children.

As recent cases of COVID-19 primarily affect young people, children with diabetes need to be protected and ensure their blood sugar is always under control.

“However, compliance with blood glucose monitoring remains difficult in children with diabetes,” says Dr. Eleanor Du, the pediatric diabetes expert. “Pain from daily bites leads to non-compliance in children. “

And it can affect their blood sugar control, which could lead to episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

“Again, non-compliance can be dangerous because it can increase the risk of complications from diabetes,” warns the female doctor. “I had a young patient who recently died from poor diabetes management and the restrictions brought on by the pandemic.”

FreeStyle Libre is a revolutionary continuous glucose monitoring technology that monitors glucose levels every minute.

Pain-free blood sugar monitoring

To solve this problem, Abbott introduces FreeStyle Libre, a revolutionary continuous glucose monitoring technology that monitors glucose levels every minute with a small, coin-sized sensor worn on the back of the arm for up to to 14 days. No daily injection required.

This easy to use gadget is a great alternative that parents and caregivers can use for their children. But before getting one, consult and get permission from your children’s doctors first.

“The Free Style Libre sensor measures glucose every minute in the interstitial fluid through a small filament (5.5mm long) that is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad,” says Dr. Robles.

A quick sensor scan with a meter provides a real-time glucose reading and a detailed picture of a person’s glucose levels, without the need for routine finger pricks or daily calibrations.

The FreeStyle Libre meter scans the sensor and displays the current glucose reading, the last seven hours of glucose data, and a trend arrow to show where the glucose levels are heading.

“The FreeStyle Libre system is easy to use and very convenient for many of our patients, especially those who are always on the go. They can check their blood sugar before or after meals, anytime, anywhere, ”enthuses Dr. Robles.

What’s also great about the system is that it comes with FreeStyle Libre View, a web-based software that will allow the patient to download the data and send it to their doctor for (remote) monitoring.

“FreeStyle Libre is a game-changer. It allows diabetic patients to better understand how fluctuations in their glucose levels could affect their overall health, ”notes Dr. Robles.

Keep in mind that good disease management could mean fewer episodes of hyper and hypoglycemia, reduce hospitalizations, and prevent complications, which lead to morbidity and mortality.

“Patient empowerment is essential in managing diabetes in the days of COVID,” adds Dr. Robles.