Comparative Study Of The Epidemiological, Clinical, And Biological Profile Between Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Patients With Covid-19 And Factors Associated With Mortality: A Moroccan Study

Abstract

Diabetes has emerged as a significant comorbidity that affects the prognosis of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Understanding the differential impact of diabetes on the clinical course of COVID-19 is crucial for improving patient management and outcomes. This study aimed to explore and compare the epidemiological, clinical, and biological profiles of patients with and without diabetes with COVID-19 in Morocco and to identify the factors associated with mortality among the study population. This study included patients diagnosed with COVID-19 through RT-PCR and/or thoracic CT, who were admitted to Ibn Sina Hospital from August 2020 to August 2021 during the alpha and delta waves of SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected from the patients’ medical records. Statistical analyses were conducted to highlight the significant differences and associated factors among the study population. A total of 268 patients were analyzed, with an average age of 60.7 years; 57.8% were men, and 44.4% were diabetic. Symptoms such as fever and dyspnea were prevalent in over 70% of cases. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between patients with and without diabetes in terms of age, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, severity of illness, and mortality rates. Key biological parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte, D-dimer, glycemia, urea, creatinine, troponin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, also differed significantly between the two groups. Mortality was notably associated with factors such as age, glycemia, respiratory rate, and creatinine. Patients with diabetes exhibited a higher prevalence of hypertension (50.4% vs. 20.1%) and greater disease severity (55.5% vs. 42.3%), leading to an increased mortality rate (32.8% vs. 14.8%) compared with their non-diabetic counterparts. These findings underscore the distinct profiles of COVID-19 patients in Morocco based on diabetes status and highlight critical mortality risk factors within this population.