Adults with diabetes need to be extra careful of COVID-19 as they are more likely to be hospitalized if infected. 

That is the findings of a report recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. A member of the OSF HealthCare team has some advice for diabetics. Tanya Munger, a nurse practitioner for OSF HealthCare Endocrinology, says people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for severe complications with any viral illness, especially COVID-19.

The study looked at data from 767 patients with COVID-19 and Type 1 diabetes from 56 diabetes clinics across the country. The study found patients older than 40 were seven times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to younger patients. The bottom line, she says, is people with diabetes should take all precautions necessary to stay as healthy as possible.