German Study Says Coronavirus Infection May Increase Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

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JAKARTA - Recently, German researchers found a relationship between diabetes and Corona. According to them, Covid-19 survivors are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The results of the study published in the journal Diabetologia were conducted between March 2020 and January 2021, involving 35,865 Covid-19 survivors. The results showed that Covid-19 survivors had a 28 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes compared to people with other upper respiratory tract infections.

The authors say that if the results of this study prove to be correct, then the survivors should have their blood sugar levels monitored after recovery. They advise future researchers to find out if this only happens to Covid survivors with a knack for diabetes due to the stress the virus causes on the body. Researchers should also examine whether post-Covid diabetes can go away after full recovery.

"Because the progress of Covid-19 patients has only been monitored for three months, further monitoring is needed to really understand whether the risk of type 2 diabetes in Covid-19 survivors is true or will it go away after the survivor is fully recovered," said one of the lead researchers, Professor Wolfgang Rathmann, from the German Diabetes Center at Heinrich Heine University in Dusseldorf.

Meanwhile, Dr. Faye Riley, research communications manager at Diabetes UK, a charity organization for people with diabetes in the UK, commented on the study. According to him, there have been several studies that say that the Coronavirus can trigger type 2 diabetes.

"Further research is needed to detail the relationship between the two diseases," said Dr. Riley.

"It is not yet clear whether the virus causes new cases of type 2 diabetes, exposes cases of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, or temporarily raises blood sugar levels," continued Dr. Riley.

"Everyone, regardless of whether they have the coronavirus or not, should be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, including sudden weight loss, feeling thirsty or tired, and going to the toilet more often," she explained.

"Some of the symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, look similar to the symptoms caused by the Coronavirus so anyone could mistake it," said Dr. Faye Riley.

"If you see symptoms of diabetes, seek help from a doctor as soon as possible," she concluded.