Evaluation of the Effects of Being Over 65 Years of Age on Different Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients with COVID-19

Objective: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the entire population, with the most damaging effects among the elderly. The elderly, especially those with diabetes, are at the highest risk for adverse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the laboratory findings of diabetic patients with COVID-19 from different clinical courses, and to investigate whether being over or under 65 years of age has an effect on the clinical outcome.Materials and Methods: The demographic data and biochemical results of the patients were examined and recorded. Clinical outcomes, namely hospital discharge, transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) and death, were recorded at the end of the study period. The patients were divided into two groups according to being over or under 65 years of age.Results: Overall, 122 participants (47 females, 75 males; mean age: 57 +/- 13.5 years) were included in the analyses. Age and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values were significantly higher in the death group than in the discharged group (p<0.05). Ferritin, D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) values of the death and ICU groups were statistically significantly higher than the discharge group (p<0.05). The hemoglobin a1c (Hba1c) values of the ICU group were found to be significantly higher than those of the discharged group (p<0.05). D-dimer and CRP values were significantly higher in diabetic patients aged >65 years (p<0.05). >65 age group, the CRP value of the death group was statistically significantly higher than the discharge group, while the Hba1c value of the ICU group was higher than those of the discharged group. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between HbA1c and lymphocyte (r=-0.23, p=0.030), HbA1c and white blood cells (r=-0.22, p=0.042) in patients aged >65 years (p<0.05). Age, ferritin, D-dimer, CRP, LDH and Hba1c values of the death/ICU transfer group were significantly higher than the discharged group (p<0.05). According to the logistic regression analysis; age, D-dimer, CRP and Hba1c values were found as a statistically significant risk factors for death and transfer to the ICU.Conclusion: Early intervention and treatment are vital, especially in the presence of elevated inflammatory parameters in uncontrolled diabetic patients aged >65 years with COVID-19 to prevent poor clinical outcomes.