Covid for people with type 1 Diabetes – Age and Hospitalization Risk

A recent study titled Age and Hospitalization Risk in People With Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19: Data From the T1D Exchange Surveillance Study evaluated the risk for COVID-19–related hospitalization and adverse outcomes by age in people with T1D.

Researchers evaluated 767 patients and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The age groups were split as follows: 0-18, 19-40, and >?40 years. 54%  were aged 0 to 18 years, 32% were aged 19 to 40 years, and 14% were older than 40 years. In total, 170 patients were hospitalized, and 5 died.

Patients older than 40 years were at greater risk for more severe effects from COVID (7x more likely to be hospitalized).

Children and younger adults experienced milder disease and a better prognosis.

This indicates a need for age-tailored treatments, immunization, and clinical management of individuals affected by T1D. 

Regardless of age, having a sick day management plan in place is very important.

The greatest and most common risk to children with T1D and COVID is DKA. Often, we require significantly more insulin when sick and ketone risk is increased (which can quickly lead to DKA).

Close contact with our team or your outside diabetes care team is recommended.

If you are unsure of how to care for yourself or your loved one with diabetes for sick days, give us a call at 610-642-6055 or email info@integrateddiabetes.com to schedule. 

For more info about Covid see some of our recent articles below:

• Immunity, vaccination, and risks of Covid for people with diabetes

• How Glucose Affects COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes

• Plain talk on the Covid-19 vaccine

• Weight Gain During the Covid-19 Shutdown

• High HbA1c increases risks for acute respiratory distress syndrome with COVID-19

• Gyms are Beginning to Reopen. Is It Safe to Go During the Covid Pandemic?

• What Food Products To Stock Up On During COVID-19

• Diabetes Survey: How has your physical activity level been affected by COVID19?

• Recovering From COVID-19 With Diabetes

• Diabetes As a Risk Factor for Covid-19 – What are the risks? FAQ’S

Citation: 

Carla Demeterco-Berggren, Osagie Ebekozien, Saketh Rompicherla, Laura Jacobsen, Siham Accacha, Mary Pat Gallagher, G Todd Alonso, Berhane Seyoum, Francesco Vendrame, J Sonya Haw, Marina Basina, Carol J Levy, David M Maahs, Age and Hospitalization Risk in People With Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19: Data From the T1D Exchange Surveillance Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2021; dgab668, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab668