This story is from June 13, 2021

Gujarat sees rise in diabetes cases triggered by corona

Anil Mehta, 48, a real estate broker, had never tested positive for blood sugar in his biannual medical checks. He did not have risk factors like hypertension or even obesity and lived a medicine-free, healthy lifestyle including one hour walk daily. A severe Covid-19 illness which required hospitalization due to 80% lung involvement however saw him testing positive for uncontrolled sugar levels over 500 mg/dl.
Gujarat sees rise in diabetes cases triggered by corona
Experts say pre-existing risk factors like obesity, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and stress induced by the pandemic may also be trigger-points.
AHMEDABAD: Anil Mehta, 48, a real estate broker, had never tested positive for blood sugar in his biannual medical checks. He did not have risk factors like hypertension or even obesity and lived a medicine-free, healthy lifestyle including one hour walk daily. A severe Covid-19 illness which required hospitalization due to 80% lung involvement however saw him testing positive for uncontrolled sugar levels over 500 mg/dl.

Six months after surviving Covid-19, Mehta is now a diabetic who pops two pills a day to keep his sugar levels in check. “Covid has given me diabetes as a parting gift,” says Mehta who has struggled hard with diet and exercise to finally get his sugar in check.
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Gujarat, the diabetes capital of India, seems poised for a jump in number of diabetics post Covid-19 as experts report a perceptible rise in diabetes either triggered by or detected during Covid-19 infection period.
“A global analysis published in Journal of Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism last year demonstrated that 14.4% of patients hospitalized with severe Covid-19 developed diabetes. Nationally, experts are estimating 1 crore diabetics will be added due to Covid pandemic,” says senior endocrinologist Dr Sanjeev Phatak who has personally treated 80 patients who were diagnosed with diabetes after a Covid infection in the pandemic year.

“Covid may attack insulin-producing beta cells of pancreas either resulting in cells to fail or impair their function triggering high blood sugar levels — diabetes. Steroid use may also trigger diabetes, though it is generally temporary and reversible,” says Dr Phatak.
Experts say pre-existing risk factors like obesity, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and stress induced by the pandemic may also be trigger-points. “In many patients with risk factors, Covid fast-tracked manifestation of diabetes. In many cases, it is possible diabetes was present but undetected,” said diabetologist Dr Bansi Saboo.
Dr Saboo said that a national study including patients in Gujarat is underway to study the role played by Covid-19 infection in precipitating diabetes and if it was a permanent disease or a temporary metabolic alteration which resolved as inflammation resolved or effects of steroids wore off.
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About the Author
Radha Sharma

Radha Sharma is assistant editor at The Times of India, Ahmedabad, and covers issues related to health and social development. Her interest lies in doing socially relevant campaigns and human interest stories. She likes to read fiction and listen to music.

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