Remote patient monitoring and podiatry during COVID-19

People with diabetes are not more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population. The problem people with diabetes face is primarily a problem of worse outcomes, not greater chance of contracting the virus.

Early studies have shown that about 25% of people who went to the hospital with severe COVID-19 infections had diabetes.

One in 10 coronavirus patients with diabetes died within the first seven days of hospitalization, and one in five needed a ventilator to breathe, according to a new study by French researchers.

Diabetes is one of the underlying health conditions that health experts believe put people at greater risk for developing more severe symptoms of Covid-19 and the study, published in the journal Diabetologia, seems to confirm this.

One reason is that high blood sugar weakens the immune system and makes it less able to fight off infections.

It is well known that people with diabetes have increased infection risk, especially for influenza and pneumonia.

Diabetes was previously reported as a major risk factor for mortality in people infected with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza and, more recently, with the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS). Epidemiological studies have quickly and consistently pointed out diabetes as one of the major comorbidities associated with COVID-19 and affecting its severity.

The researchers found that patients who used insulin and other treatments for modifying blood sugar levels did not have a higher risk for developing COVID-19.

It is imperative for diabetics to create a COVID-19 plan as social distancing and shelter in place rules may make it harder to get the supplies and care that you need.

If you start feeling sick, stay home. Check your blood sugar more often than usual. COVID-19 can reduce your appetite and cause you to eat less, which could affect your levels. You also need more fluids than usual when you're sick. Keep water close by, and drink it often.

At Siren, we are dedicated to keeping our high risk patients safe and at home, by allowing them to communicate with their doctor regarding foot health remotely. Our goal is to keep patients safe, connected, and out of the hospital.

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