Potential Benefits and Harms of Novel Antidiabetic Drugs During COVID-19 Crisis

Maria Mirabelli, Eusebio Chiefari, Luigi Puccio, Daniela Patrizia Foti and Antonio Brunetti
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Maria Mirabelli: Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Eusebio Chiefari: Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Luigi Puccio: Complex Operative Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Hospital Pugliese-Ciaccio, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Daniela Patrizia Foti: Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Antonio Brunetti: Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Patients with diabetes have been reported to have enhanced susceptibility to severe or fatal COVID-19 infections, including a high risk of being admitted to intensive care units with respiratory failure and septic complications. Given the global prevalence of diabetes, affecting over 450 million people worldwide and still on the rise, the emerging COVID-19 crisis poses a serious threat to an extremely large vulnerable population. However, the broad heterogeneity and complexity of this dysmetabolic condition, with reference to etiologic mechanisms, degree of glycemic derangement and comorbid associations, along with the extensive sexual dimorphism in immune responses, can hamper any patient generalization. Even more relevant, and irrespective of glucose-lowering activities, DPP4 inhibitors and GLP1 receptor agonists may have a favorable impact on the modulation of viral entry and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines during COVID-19 infection, although current evidence is limited and not univocal. Conversely, SGLT2 inhibitors may increase the likelihood of COVID-19-related ketoacidosis decompensation among patients with severe insulin deficiency. Mindful of their widespread popularity in the management of diabetes, addressing potential benefits and harms of novel antidiabetic drugs to clinical prognosis at the time of a COVID-19 pandemic deserves careful consideration.

Keywords: COVID-19; diabetes; DPP4 inhibitors; GLP1 receptor agonists; SGLT2 inhibitors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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