Who is at risk to develop diabetes after Covid infection? Elizabeth Tracey reports

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In the year following a Covid-19 infection, some 40% of adults in one study developed new onset type 2 diabetes. Rita Kalyani, a diabetes expert at Johns Hopkins, says certain populations were much more at risk for this outcome.

Kalyani: Older adults, over the age of 65, Black versus white, those with prediabetes, and those who were obese, were more likely to develop diabetes. These were all people who might have been on the edge. Had risk factors for developing diabetes but hadn’t developed it yet, and then with Covid-19 developed the full blown onset of the disease. Forty percent increased risk is a lot, what this study doesn’t yet answer is will these people have long lasting diabetes, or will it resolve over time.  :31

Kalyani says it may be possible to reverse the condition over time as inflammation decreases, as well as employing diet and exercise strategies to improve blood sugar levels. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.