Publication:

Admission HbA1c value as a prognostic marker in patients admitted with COVID-19

Background Diabetes mellitus has been firmly established as a risk factor for the prognosis of COVID-19. However, the impact of pre-COVID-19 glycemic control on prognosis is yet to be fully understood. Our study aimed to establish the effect of HbA1c at admission on the outcome of patients admitted with COVID-19.

Methods It was a prospective observational study of admitted adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a tertiary care centre based on data collected from the medical record section using the patient data registry between April 2021 to June 2021. Information regarding demographic and clinical features, laboratory values, and hospital outcomes was collected and analysed.

Results 182 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 during the study period were included, their mean age was 48.75 years, the mean HbA1c was 6.1. Males accounted for 69.8% (127) of the sample population. 41.2% (75) were known diabetics. 44.8% (81) were known hypertensives. The mortality rate overall was 25.3% (46). 63.7% (116) had HbA1c values >6.5. High HbA1c values was associated with longer duration of hospital stay (p=0.032), higher levels of inflammatory markers, increased need for mechanical ventilation (p=0.001), higher mortality rate (p=0.001).

Conclusions Patients with COVID-19 with poor glycemic control as evidenced by admission HbA1c levels were found to have more severe disease course with increased level of inflammatory markers, longer duration of hospital stay and higher risk of mortality.