ACCREDIT [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in a regional population with diabetes mellitus
IRAS ID
285093
Contact name
Sunil Nair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Diabetes mellitus affects 463 million adults or almost 10% of the global adult population. This global issue of diabetes has become more burdensome by the emergence of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of 12 May 2020, around 4 million people have been affected and over 280,000 deaths have been recorded. According to several reports, once a patient with diabetes acquires COVID-19 they have worse outcomes such as a greater need for intensive care and a higher risk of death. Worse outcomes in patients with diabetes have also been seen in previous coronavirus epidemics, namely SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2002 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in 2012. The ability to identify those at greater risk could enable clinicians to set targeted interventions and minimise risks for this population group.\nPertinent characteristics to be analysed include known cardiovascular disease, microalbuminuria (protein in the urine), socioeconomic deprivation and foot ulceration. These characteristics are associated with higher mortality and morbidity in patients with diabetes. Furthermore, we shall assess ethnicity as preliminary data suggests an association between increased mortality and the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) populations.\nAdditionally, we will look into the use of certain medications, specifically angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which are commonly used in the management of diabetes and hypertension. This study aims to determine clinical characteristics among COVID-19 patients with diabetes associated with increased risk of death and the need for intensive care. Secondary outcome measures include need for intravenous insulin infusion, incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis, need for escalated insulin doses, and hospital stay. This proposal will involve data collection in hospitals across the region and will use data gathered from previous admissions. We will aim to recruit up to 1000 patients across the region. [Study relying on COPI notice]
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0203
Date of REC Opinion
13 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion