Impact of COVID-19 on an adult population in Villa Carlos Paz and its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47196/diab.v60i2.1357Keywords:
COVID-19, older adults, diabetes mellitus, vaccinationAbstract
Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 778 million people and caused more than 7 million deaths worldwide, with older adults (OA) being the most affected age group. Comorbidity with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for COVID-19.
Objectives: to study the impact of COVID-19 on an OA population in Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina.
Materials and methods: a retrospective study of medical records from 1012 OAs was conducted, covering the periods 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020-2022 (pandemic). For the analysis, individuals were divided into two groups: those with T2DM (group with T2DM, 53% of the population) and those without T2DM (group without T2DM).
Results: a higher prevalence of COVID-19 was observed in the group without T2DM (59.37% versus 35.85%). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in patients with COVID-19 was 34.26%. The case fatality rate among COVID-19 patients was higher in the group with T2D (7.11% versus 1.64%). In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 was the leading cause of death in the population, while in the other years of the study, it was coronary heart disease. During the analyzed pandemic period, the population experienced excess mortality, with a peak increase in 2020 (42.19%). However, in the group with T2D in 2021 and 2022, mortality was lower than expected. In this population, 94% of those who died from COVID-19 were not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Individuals in the T2D group had a higher risk of death if they contracted COVID-19 (OR=2.68) than those without T2D (OR=0.38). In patients who received two
doses of these vaccines, these risks were significantly reduced (OR: with DM=0.31; without DM=0.26).
Conclusions: COVID-19 had a major impact on this older adult population, especially those with type 2 diabetes. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 proved effective in reducing the incidence and risk of death from COVID-19 in this population. The experience of the pandemic reinforces the need for a comprehensive approach and active monitoring for prevention in the doubly vulnerable population group of older adults with type 2 diabetes.
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