COVID-19 disease and diabetes mellitus: two pandemics

COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has reached the proportion of a pandemic and either is presented with mild and moderate symptoms or in severe cases can be presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and even death. Older age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and obesity significantly increase morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In the present review we summarize the existing, and daily growing, data on the impact of COVID-19 infection on patients with diabetes, their antidiabetic therapy as well the extra precautions, except for good glucose control, they have to take in order not to contract the virus. Social distancing, strict hand hygiene is of great importance in order to help the global goal of eradication of the disease.