Diabetes: A Red Flag for COVID-19
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has different levels of severity when it affects different individuals. People with underlying medical conditions like diabetes are at significantly higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. India — the diabetes capital of the world — has more than 50.9 million people with diabetes, a number expected to reach 80 million by 2025.
Diabetes — Biology and Mechanism
Our cells need energy to survive and function properly. Energy is made from glucose, which we get from the food we eat. In a healthy person, glucose enters cells with the help of insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas. In diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin (Type 1) or doesn’t use insulin well (Type 2), causing glucose to stay in the blood rather than reaching cells.
The Genetics Behind Type 2 Diabetes
Large-scale genome-wide studies have established strong genetic predictors of Type 2 diabetes, in genes that play important roles in regulating blood sugar levels through different mechanisms — including pancreatic beta-cell functioning, insulin exocytosis, fat storage and metabolism, and energy balance. Understanding your genetic risk for diabetes allows you to take targeted preventive action before the disease develops.
Why Diabetes Worsens COVID-19 Outcomes
COVID-19 increases glucose metabolism through a cytokine storm — a dramatic spike in immune signalling proteins. In diabetic individuals, excessive or uncontrolled levels of cytokines are released, resulting in hyper-inflammation that can lead to severe illness and, in some cases, fatality. This explains why some people have a severe reaction to coronavirus while others experience only mild symptoms.
Know Your Genetic Diabetes and Immune Risk Profile
Genomepatri by MapmyGenome assesses your genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immune response, and 100+ other health conditions — with certified genetic counselling to help you take proactive steps for your health.
