Drugs used by some diabetic patients may decrease the risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes

A form of a drug already used to deal with Type 2 diabetes, when taken six months previous to the diagnosis of COVID-19, was related to a reduced risk of hospitalization, breathing complications, and death in COVID-19 patients with Type 2 diabetes, in keeping with researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. The team analyzed digital medical records of patients with type 2 diabetes, concludes that the drugs, called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, should be evaluated for potential protective effects against COVID-19 complications.

"The results are very promising as GLP-1R agonist treatment seems to be incredibly protective, however, extra research is further needed to establish a causal relationship between the use of these drugs and reduced risk for COVID-19 side effects in patients with diabetes," said Patricia Grigson, professor of the Department of Behavioral Sciences.

According to the researchers, despite the fact that vaccines remain the handiest protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, extra effective therapies are needed to enhance outcomes for patients with rare breakthrough infections.

Patients living with prior situations like diabetes are at extended risk of serious COVID-19 complications, including death. A recent study reported that near a 3rd of COVID-19-associated deaths in the country were among patients living with Type 2 diabetes.

"Vaccines have proven to reduce hospitalization and death from COVID-19," stated Jennifer Nyland, co-author of the study.

 "But the scientific community continues to look for treatments that may supplement vaccination by further reducing the threat of hospitalization, respiratory complications, and death from COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes."

Further study is necessary to verify whether GLP-1R agonists can protect against COVID-19 complications or not," said Raja Khan. "There is likewise a need to determine the conditions in which these drugs could be protective and how they could be used adequately during COVID-19 hospitalization."

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