Diabetes is a risk factor for the progression and prognosis of COVID‐19

To figure out whether diabetes is a risk factor influencing the progression and prognosis of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19).

A total of 174 consecutive patients confirmed with COVID‐19 were studied. Demographic data, medical history, symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, chest computed tomography (CT) as well the treatment measures were collected and analysed.

We found that COVID‐19 patients without other comorbidities but with diabetes (n = 24) were at higher risk of severe pneumonia, release of tissue injury‐related enzymes, excessive uncontrolled inflammation responses and hypercoagulable state associated with dysregulation of glucose metabolism. Furthermore, serum levels of inflammation‐related biomarkers such as IL‐6, C‐reactive protein, serum ferritin and coagulation index, D‐dimer, were significantly higher (P < .01) in diabetic patients compared with those without, suggesting that patients with diabetes are more susceptible to an inflammatory storm eventually leading to rapid deterioration of COVID‐19.

Our data support the notion that diabetes should be considered as a risk factor for a rapid progression and bad prognosis of COVID‐19. More intensive attention should be paid to patients with diabetes, in case of rapid deterioration.