Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes have major impacts on the health of the population across the world. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with diabetes have been identified to be more vulnerable to infection and at greater risk for hospitalization. As diabetes is one of the major health issues in Saudi Arabia, the current study describes the perspectives of COVID-19 in people with diabetes and the steps taken by the government to minimize its impact. Most patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia experience mild illness, while people with diabetes are at increased risk of disease severity and mortality. The government of Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to control and mitigate the effect of the pandemic, as the Saudi population is gradually returning back to normal life. However, currently, there are limited studies from Saudi Arabia on COVID-19 among people with diabetes and the effectiveness of interventions. We emphasize the necessity for comprehensive research, which would provide a better understanding of the incidence of COVID-19 and its association with diabetes to develop evidence- based programs and policies in the country.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, diabetes mellitus, coronavirus, infection, Saudi Arabia.
[1]
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas Ninth Edition. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas Ninth Edition 2019.https://diabetesatlas.org/en/resources/
[2]
COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)ArcGIS. Johns Hopkins University. 2020.(23 September):
[3]
World Health Organization (WHO). Novel coronavirus—China. World Health Organization (WHO) 2020.https://www.who.int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-china/en/
[4]
Elrashdy F, Redwan EM, Uversky VN. Why COVID-19 transmission is more efficient and aggressive than viral transmission in previous coronavirus ppidemics? Biomolecules 2020; 10(9): 1312.
[5]
Stoian AP, Banerjee Y, Rizvi AA, Rizzo M. Diabetes and the COVID-19 pandemic: How insights from recent experience might guide future management. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2020; 18(4): 173-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/met.2020.0037] [PMID: 32271125]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/met.2020.0037] [PMID: 32271125]
[6v]
Katulanda P, Dissanayake HA, Ranathunga I, et al. Prevention and management of COVID-19 among patients with diabetes: an appraisal of the literature. Diabetologia 2020; 63(8): 1440-52.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05164-x] [PMID: 32405783]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05164-x] [PMID: 32405783]
[7]
Casqueiro J, Casqueiro J, Alves C. Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus: A review of pathogenesis. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2012; 1(Suppl1): 27-36.
[8]
Rajpal A, Rahimi L, Ismail-Beigi F. Factors leading to high morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Diabetes 2020; 16
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.13085] [PMID: 32671936]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.13085] [PMID: 32671936]
[9]
Sanyaolu A, Okorie C, Marinkovic A, et al. Comorbidity and its Impact on Patients with COVID-19. SN Compr Clin Med 2020; pp. 1-8.
[10]
Yang JK, Feng Y, Yuan MY, et al. Plasma glucose levels and diabetes are independent predictors for mortality and morbidity in patients with SARS. Diabet Med 2006; 23(6): 623-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01861.x] [PMID: 16759303]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01861.x] [PMID: 16759303]
[11]
Hulme KD, Gallo LA, Short KR. Influenza virus and glycemic variability in diabetes: A killer combination? Front Microbiol 2017; 8: 861.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00861] [PMID: 28588558]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00861] [PMID: 28588558]
[12]
Malek M, Hosseinpanah F, Aghaei Meybodi HR, et al. Diabetes management during the covid-19 pandemic: An iranian expert opinion statement. Arch Iran Med 2020; 23(8): 564-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.61] [PMID: 32894970]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.61] [PMID: 32894970]
[13]
Pawar AY, Hiray AP, Sonawane DD, Bhambar RS, Derle DV, Ahire YS. Convalescent plasma: A possible treatment protocol for COVID- 19 patients suffering from diabetes or underlying liver diseases. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2020; 14(4): 665-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2020.05.023] [PMID: 32438330]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2020.05.023] [PMID: 32438330]
[14]
Toniolo A, Cassani G, Puggioni A, et al. The diabetes pandemic and associated infections: suggestions for clinical microbiology. Rev Med Microbiol 2019; 30(1): 1-17.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MRM.0000000000000155] [PMID: 30662163]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MRM.0000000000000155] [PMID: 30662163]
[15]
Wang B, Yao M, Lv L, Ling Z, Li L. The human microbiota in health and disease. Engineering 2017; 3(1): 71-82.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.ENG.2017.01.008]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.ENG.2017.01.008]
[16]
Galanopoulos M, Gkeros F, Doukatas A, et al. COVID-19 pandemic: Pathophysiology and manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26(31): 4579-88.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v26.i31.4579] [PMID: 32884218]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v26.i31.4579] [PMID: 32884218]
[17]
Villapol S. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with COVID-19: impact on the gut microbiome. Transl Res 2020; 51931-244.
[18]
Al Dawish MA, Robert AA. COVID-19 in people with diabetes: Epidemiological perspectives and public health actions in the middle east and north africa (MENA) rgion. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2020. Oct 21.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399816666201021154839] [PMID: 33087031]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399816666201021154839] [PMID: 33087031]
[19]
Burnet DL, Elliott LD, Quinn MT, Plaut AJ, Schwartz MA, Chin MH. Preventing diabetes in the clinical setting. J Gen Intern Med 2006; 21(1): 84-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0277.x] [PMID: 16423130]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0277.x] [PMID: 16423130]
[20]
Chaix A, Manoogian ENC, Melkani GC, Panda S. Time-Restricted eating to prevent and manage chronic metabolic diseases. 2019.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-nutr-082018-124320]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-nutr-082018-124320]
[21]
Saudi Ministry of Health. Annual Statistics Books. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Ministry of Health 2019.
[22]
Robert AA, Al Dawish MA. The worrying trend of diabetes mellitus in saudi arabia: An urgent call to action. Curr Diabetes Rev 2020; 16(3): 204-10.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399815666190531093735] [PMID: 31146665]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399815666190531093735] [PMID: 31146665]
[23]
Al Dawish MA, Robert AA, Braham R, et al. Diabetes mellitus in saudi arabia: A review of the recent literature. Curr Diabetes Rev 2016; 12(4): 359-68.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399811666150724095130] [PMID: 26206092]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399811666150724095130] [PMID: 26206092]
[24]
Robert AA, Al Dawish MA, Braham R, Musallam MA, Al Hayek AA, Al Kahtany NH. Type 2 diabetes mellitus in saudi arabia: major challenges and possible solutions. Curr Diabetes Rev 2017; 13(1): 59-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399812666160126142605] [PMID: 26813972]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573399812666160126142605] [PMID: 26813972]
[25]
"Covid 19 Dashboard: Saudi Arabia". Archived from the original 2020; (21 September): https://covid19.moh.gov.sa/
[26]
Alsofayan YM, Althunayyan SM, Khan AA, Hakawi AM, Assiri AM. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A national retrospective study. J Infect Public Health 2020; 13(7): 920-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2020.05.026] [PMID: 32534945]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2020.05.026] [PMID: 32534945]
[27]
Shabrawishi M, Al-Gethamy MM, Naser AY, et al. Clinical, radiological and therapeutic characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. PLoS One 2020; 15(8): e0237130.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237130] [PMID: 32760107]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237130] [PMID: 32760107]
[28]
Barry M, AlMohaya A, AlHijji A, et al. Clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 ptients in a MERS- CoV endemic area. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2020; 10(3): 214-21.
[PMID: 32954712]
[PMID: 32954712]
[29]
Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Matar AB, et al. Risk factors for hospital admission among COVID-19 patients with diabetes. A study from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2020; 41(10): 1090-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.10.25419] [PMID: 33026050]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.10.25419] [PMID: 33026050]
[30]
The ministry of health issues comprehensive covid-19 guide for diabetics. The ministry of health issues comprehensive covid-19 guide for diabetics Saudi Arabia 2020.https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/MediaCenter/News/Pages/News-2020-05-01-002.aspx
[31]
Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Alotaibi ZK, Al Dawish M. Clinical characteristics of hospitalized and home isolated COVID-19 patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2020; 14(6): 1841-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2020.09.013] [PMID: 32971511]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2020.09.013] [PMID: 32971511]
[32]
COVID-19 recovery rate for children with chronic illness equal to healthy peers. 2020; (03 July): https://www.arabnews.com/node/1698916/saudi-arabia
[33]
Pitocco D, Tartaglione L, Viti L, et al. Lack of type 1 diabetes involvement in SARS-COV-2 population: Only a particular coincidence? Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2020; 164: 108220.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108220] [PMID: 32442557]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108220] [PMID: 32442557]
[34]
Robert AA, Al-Dawish A, Mujammami M, Dawish MAA. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia: A Soaring Epidemic. Int J Pediatr 2018; 2018: 9408370.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9408370] [PMID: 29853923]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9408370] [PMID: 29853923]
[35]
Alahdal H, Basingab F, Alotaibi R. An analytical study on the awareness, attitude and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2020; 1876.
[36]
Al-Rasheedi M, Alhazmi Y, Mateq Ali A, et al. Public and healthcare providers awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.08.035] [PMID: 32934461]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.08.035] [PMID: 32934461]
[37]
Al-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward covid-19 among the public in the kingdom of saudi arabia: A cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2020; 8: 217.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00217] [PMID: 32574300]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00217] [PMID: 32574300]
[38]
Alyami HS, A A Orabi M, Aldhabbah FM, et al. Knowledge about COVID-19 and beliefs about and use of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 2020.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2020.08.023] [PMID: 32904846]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2020.08.023] [PMID: 32904846]
[39]
Güner R, Hasanoğlu I, Aktaş F. COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in community. Turk J Med Sci 2020; 50(Si-1): 571-7.
[40]
Ministry of Health. COVID-19 Coronavirus disease guidelines Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia https://www.moh.gov.sa/Ministry/MediaCenter/Publications/Documents/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-Guidelines-v1.2.pdf
[41]
Mal PR, Suneel P, Shomeeta P. Social distancing: A non-pharmacological intervention for COVID-19. J Pak Med Assoc 2020; 70(Suppl 3): 21-4.
[42]
Nittari G, Pallotta G, Amenta F, Tayebati SK. Current pharmacological treatments for SARS-COV-2: A narrative review. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 882: 173328.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173328] [PMID: 32603692]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173328] [PMID: 32603692]
[43]
Bhole RP, Sarode VI, Bonde CG. Understanding and implementing alternative solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the sense of public health emergencies. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24(13): 7485-93.
[PMID: 32706088]
[PMID: 32706088]
[44]
Liu Q, Luo D, Haase JE, et al. The experiences of health-care providers during the COVID-19 crisis in China: a qualitative study. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8(6): e790-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30204-7] [PMID: 32573443]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30204-7] [PMID: 32573443]
[45]
Kim NY, Ha E, Moon JS, Lee YH, Choi EY. Acute hyperglycemic crises with coronavirus disease-19: Case reports. Diabetes Metab J 2020; 44(2): 349-53.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2020.0091] [PMID: 32347027]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2020.0091] [PMID: 32347027]
[46]
Alsifri S, Alshaikh A, Alhozali A, et al. Saudi scientific diabetes society position statement: Management of diabetes mellitus in the pandemic of COVID-19. Int J Clin Med 2020; 11: 199-206.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2020.115020]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijcm.2020.115020]
[47]
Saudi National Diabetes Center (SNDC) Management Guidancefor People with Diabetes and COVID-19 Infection. Saudi National Diabetes Center (SNDC) Management Guidancefor People with Diabetes and COVID-19 Infection. https://www.moh.gov.sa/Ministry/MediaCenter/Publications/Documents/Saudi-National-Diabetes-Center%28SNDC%29guide-for-diabetes-patient-with- Covid-19.pdf
[48]
COVID-19 Guidelines Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/MediaCenter/Publications/Pages/covid19.aspx
[49]
Saudi Health Ministry continues to provide care for COVID-19 patients 2020; (13 Jun): https://www.arabnews.com/node/1688831/saudi-arabia2020;
[50]
Alshammari TM, Altebainawi AF, Alenzi KA. Importance of early precautionary actions in avoiding the spread of COVID-19: Saudi Arabia as an Example. Saudi Pharm J 2020; 28(7): 898-902.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2020.05.005] [PMID: 32641902]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2020.05.005] [PMID: 32641902]
[51]
Meo SA. Saudi Arabia’s role at national and international levels. COVID-19 pandemic. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2020; 14(4): 758-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1932296820930068] [PMID: 32506934]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1932296820930068] [PMID: 32506934]
[52]
MOH. Public Health - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/EducationalContent/PublicHealth/Pages/corona.aspx
[53]
Siddiqui AA, Alshammary F, Amin J, et al. Knowledge and practice regarding prevention of COVID-19 among the Saudi Arabian population. Work 2020; 66(4): 767-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203223] [PMID: 32925138]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203223] [PMID: 32925138]
[54]
Yezli S, Khan A. COVID-19 social distancing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Bold measures in the face of political, economic, social and religious challenges. Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 101692.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101692] [PMID: 32330561]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101692] [PMID: 32330561]
[55]
Adly HM, AlJahdali IA, Garout MA, Khafagy AA, Saati AA, Saleh SAK. Correlation of COVID-19 Pandemic with Healthcare System Response and Prevention Measures in Saudi Arabia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17(18): E6666.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186666] [PMID: 32933172]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186666] [PMID: 32933172]
[56]
Ebrahim SH, Memish ZA. Saudi Arabia’s drastic measures to curb the COVID-19 outbreak: temporary suspension of the Umrah pilgrimage. J Travel Med 2020; 27(3): taaa029.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa029] [PMID: 32109274]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa029] [PMID: 32109274]
[57]
Almaghlouth I, Islam T, Alamro N, et al. Mapping COVID-19 related research from Saudi Arabia, a scoping review. Between reality and dreams. Saudi Med J 2020; 41(8): 791-801.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.8.25163] [PMID: 32789418]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.8.25163] [PMID: 32789418]
[58]
Barry M, Ghonem L, Alsharidi A, et al. Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Mitigation measures and hospital preparedness. J Nat Sci Med 2020; 3: 155-8.
[59]
Komies S, Aldhahir AM, Almehmadi M, et al. COVID-19 Outcomes in Saudi Arabia and the UK: A Tale of Two Kingdoms 2020.
[60]
Arab News. Saudi Arabia records 80% COVID-19 case drop in 3- month period. Arab News 2020; (07 September): https://www.arabnews.com/node/1730366/saudi-arabia
[61]
Arab News. Saudi Arabia records less than 500 new COVID-19 cases for first time in 5 months. Arab News 2020; (September 20): https://www.arabnews.com/node/1737266/saudi-arabia
[62]
Safest coronavirus countries: Saudi Arabia, UAE rank in top 20 of COVID-19 analysis. https://millichronicle.com/tag/deep-knowledge-group/
[63]
Wolf MS, Serper M, Opsasnick L, et al. Awareness, attitudes, and actions related to covid-19 among adults with chronic conditions at the onset of the U.S. outbreak: A cross-sectional survey. Ann Intern Med 2020; 173(2): 100-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M20-1239] [PMID: 32271861]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M20-1239] [PMID: 32271861]
[64]
American Diabetes Association. 3. Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2020. Diabetes Care 2020; 43(Suppl. 1): S32-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc20-S003] [PMID: 31862746]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc20-S003] [PMID: 31862746]
Article Metrics
24
1