COVID-19 Unvaccinated People Experience a Greater Diabetes Risk
A new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open has revealed that COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals may face a higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. The study, carried out by researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute, involved the medical evaluation of about 23,000 patients who documented at least one case of COVID-19 infection and received treatment from the hospital between 2020 to 2022.
The study did not report that the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. Instead, it primarily focused on evaluating the safety of the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines containing the Omicron JN.1 lineage, specifically assessing the risk of 29 serious adverse events post-vaccination.
However, the study did find that the risk of Type-2 diabetes for unvaccinated COVID-19 patients is at 2.7%, with 74% of cases building post-infection and 30% occurring pre-infection. For vaccinated COVID-19 patients, the risk is 1%, with 51% occurring post-infection and 49% before exposure.
Dr. Susan Cheng, a professor of Cardiology and director for Cardiovascular Population Sciences at the Smidt Heart Institute, suggests that unvaccinated individuals with a preexisting risk for diabetes might develop diabetes at an earlier age (45 or 55) after a COVID-19 infection.
Dr. Alan Kwan, a researcher involved in the study, emphasizes the need for further research to validate the team's findings and prepare for the treatment of conditions linked to COVID-19 aftereffects.
Diabetes is a disease that affects approximately 26 million residents in the United States. It can lead to an increased possibility of having a heart attack or stroke due to the harm it can incur in blood vessels and vital organs. COVID-19 can likely harm the pancreas and interfere with insulin production, increasing the risk of diabetes.
The study's senior author, Dr. Cheng, stated that the results would help expand their understanding of the COVID-19 effects on the body. She also emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccine is necessary not just for preventing the spread of the virus, but also to help lower the risk of developing diabetes.
Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to contract COVID-19, which can have numerous detrimental effects on the body, including increased inflammation and blood sugar levels. Therefore, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains an important tool in protecting against COVID-19 and the still-uncertain risks that people may experience during the post-infection period.
[1] JAMA Network Open [2] ScienceDaily [3] The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology [4] Diabetes Care [5] The Lancet Infectious Diseases
- The study, published in the Journal JAMA Network Open, highlights a potential link between Type-2 diabetes and COVID-19, finding that unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 have a higher risk (2.7%) of developing Type-2 diabetes compared to vaccinated individuals (1%).
- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it's crucial to consider the long-term health-and-wellness implications. The study suggests that unvaccinated individuals with a preexisting risk for diabetes might develop diabetes earlier (45 or 55) after a COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the significance of fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and diabetes management.
- The research, which was carried out by the Smidt Heart Institute, underscores the need for further scientific investigation into the risks and medical-conditions associated with COVID-19 aftereffects. Future studies, like those published in ScienceDaily, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Diabetes Care, and The Lancet Infectious Diseases, could offer insights into chronic diseases like Type-2 diabetes and their potential link to COVID-19 infections.
