Noor Mohamed-Jawad - Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq.
Zainab Abdulnabi - Department of pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq.

Background: COVID-۱۹ pandemic associates with many acute and long-term effects. Hyperglycemia and diabetes are among the common comorbidities that negatively affect the outcome of COVID-۱۹ patients. Many studies report an increase in the incidence of new-onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis during the pandemic of COVID-۱۹. Aim of the Study: This review article aimed to study the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and COVID-۱۹ and understand the possible underlying mechanisms predisposed to diabetes in patients with COVID-۱۹. Methods: The present work performs an online literature search on databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Web of Science. The search includes publications on SARS-CoV-۲ or COVID-۱۹, hyperglycemia, diabetes, and diabetic ketoacidosis.  Results: There is a slight increase in the incidence of hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes during or post COVID-۱۹ infections. Among the proposed mechanisms of that increase are the direct and indirect effects of SARS-CoV-۲ on Beta cells of the pancreas. These effects arise from viral-mediated inflammatory and immunological effects on Beta cells. Stress hyperglycemia, corticosteroid administration, obesity, and preexisting diabetes are important aggravating factors for developing diabetes in COVID-۱۹ patients. Conclusion: The long-term follow-up is mandatory to determine the outcome of patients, who develop new-onset diabetes after COVID-۱۹ infection.

COVID-۱۹, Diabetes, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hyperglycemia