Hyperglycemia predicts death in COVID-19 patients

A new study from China found that about half of the patients hospitalized with the COVID-19 are hyperglycemic.

These patients had not been diagnosed previously with diabetes. The retrospective study, reported by Medscape Medical News reported that hyperglycemia in these patients is an independent predictor of mortality at 28 days.

The patients (n = 605) had been admitted to 2 hospitals in Wuhan with a fasting blood glucose of 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or greater in more than 45% of those without preexisting diabetic conditions.

The study investigators commented, “Glycemic testing and control should be recommended for all COVID-19 patients even if they do not have preexisting diabetes, as most COVID-19 patients are prone to glucose metabolic disorders.”