The human body’s endocrine system that makes hormones is strongly involved in the SARS-Cov-2 infection) the virus behind Covid-19 ) so much so that evidence of an “endocrine phenotype” of Coronavirus has emerged, as per the statement by the European Society of Endocrinology.
A team of scientists from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain researched the available evidence with respect to Covid-19 across many endocrine conditions and related factors: diabetes, obesity, nutrition, hypocalcemia, vitamin D insufficiency, vertebral fractures, adrenal insufficiency, as well as pituitary/thyroid issues and sex hormones.
The lead author Manel Puig from the varsity said we cannot ignore the effect of hormones in the context of Covid-19, “the evidence is clear”.
Further said, “We need to be aware of the endocrine consequences of Covid-19 for patients with a known endocrine condition such as diabetes, obesity or adrenal insufficiency, but also for people without a known condition.
Vitamin D insufficiency for example is very common, and the knowledge that this condition has emerged frequently in the hospitalized Covid-19 population and may negatively impact outcomes should not be taken lightly”.
Diabetes is one of the most frequent comorbidities associated with the severity and mortality of Covid-19.
Mortality in Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes has consistently increased during the year of pandemic.
There is clear evidence of a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and Covid-19.
Obesity also increases susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 as well as the risk for Covid-19 adverse outcomes.
The researchers also posit that nutritional management is very important both for patients with obesity as well as undernourishment in order to limit their increased susceptibility and severity of infection.
Vitamin D, calcium, and bone are other areas showing a growing body of evidence that better monitoring and solutions for patients are needed for Covid-19.
