Covid-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a life-threatening infection. Diabetes is a major comorbidity that increases the risk of complications and death. The present study describes the phenotype of diabetic patients with Covid-19 and identifies factors for severity.

The present single-center retrospective study focused on diabetic patients with Covid-19 referred to the Mohamed VI International University Hospital between January 1 and December 21, 2021. We compared phenotypic features between groups with and without complications. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess risk and identify predictive factors for complications and death.

Sixty patients were included: 63.33% male; median age, 67 years. At least 1 complication occurred in 41.67% of patients, including death in 21.7%. On univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with risk of complications comprised: male gender, overweight/obesity, high rate of pulmonary lesions on CT, low glomerular filtration rate, and mean daily glycemia >2.5g/L; variables inversely associated with risk of complications comprised insulin and saturation elevation. Only male gender, overweight/obesity, hyperleukocytosis and mean glycemia for the first 4 days remained significant on multivariate logistic regression.

Male diabetic patients with high body-mass index, admitted with hyperleukocytosis and persistent glycemia elevation during hospital stay are more likely to progress toward more severe Covid-19, with poorer prognosis. They require specific care during hospital stay.