Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of diabetes management on the severity and length of hospitalization in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective study used medical records from patients admitted to the University Medical Center, El Paso, TX with COVID-19 (n= 369; Age 60.0±0.8 years; BMI 30.3±0.4 Kg/m 2). Glycemia was assessed by glycated hemoglobin (A1c) level at the time of hospitalization. The severity of the COVID-19 outcome was assessed by quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) and length of hospitalization was determined by the number of days spent in the hospital. Patients were categorized into normoglycemic (N: A1c< 5.7%), prediabetes (Pre: 5.7%≤ A1c< 6.5%), and diabetes mellitus (DM: A1c≥ 6.5%) groups. DM group was further categorized for diabetes management with medication. One-way ANOVA and unpaired t-test were used to determine the statistical differences among/between groups as appropriate.

Results: There was no significant difference among groups in severity of COVID-19 infection (qSOFA: N 0.24±0.08, Pre 0.38±0.07, D 0.28±0.03; p> 0.05) and length of hospitalization (N 5.6±0.8, Pre 9.3±1.0, DM 8.9±0.6 days; p> 0.05). However, patients with unmanaged diabetes (no medication) showed significantly greater severity (qSOFA: 0.44±0.08 vs. 0.22±0.03; p< 0.05) and length of hospitalization (10.8±1.6 vs. 8.2±0.6 days; p< 0.05) compared to patients who managed diabetes with medication.

Conclusion: Unmanaged diabetes shows worsened severity and the rate of recovery in COVID-19 patients. Diabetes management should be considered in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.