But the severity of diabetes, such as having type 1 diabetes, does increase the risk of higher death rates.
Type 2 diabetes is considered an underlying condition that can make COVID harder to fight, but with type 1 diabetes, the fight can be even harder. COVID is never a good diagnosis for anyone, but health risks are particularly high in those with advanced diabetes that is poorly controlled.
Observing 22 studies, which included a total of nearly 18,000 people, the recent study found that death rates from COVID among individuals with diabetes were similar to those among individuals without diabetes, but those with more severe cases of diabetes had the worse outcomes.
This is particularly true with those individuals using insulin. The increased risks are also seen in males, older individuals, and individuals with other chronic health issues.
According to the study, patients taking insulin to control their diabetes were 75% more likely to die from COVID than non-insulin users. Patients treating their diabetes with metformin were 50% less likely to die from COVID than those not using metformin.
Men with diabetes and COVID were 28% more likely to die than women. Individuals with diabetes, age 65 and older, were more than three times more likely to die than younger individuals with diabetes.
Regardless of what type of other health issues that one may have in addition to having COVID, the key is to work on a healthier lifestyle to control your conditions. With COVID continuing to make its presence known, protecting yourself, and those you surround yourself with, should also be high on your priority list.
Consider the vaccinations and how, overall, there are many who have gotten vaccinated, with the positive instances outweighing the negative instances.