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Covid-19 Could Cause Diabetes, Early Research Suggests
Here’s why scientists are looking at the connection
Can Covid-19 really cause diabetes? New evidence suggests that the virus damages insulin-producing cells could be a risk factor for the disease. As Beth Krietsch reports for Elemental, experts are exploring whether a Covid-19 infection could trigger diabetes in people with no prior history. Krietsch writes:
While it’s too early to say with certainty that the coronavirus causes new-onset diabetes, diabetes researchers from around the world are aware of enough cases to pique their interest in a potential link. They recently created a global patient registry and initiative called the CoviDIAB Project to improve their understanding not only of how common new-onset diabetes as a result of Covid-19 may be, but also how and why it’s developing, and how to manage and treat it.
“Given the very short history of human infection with SARS-CoV-2, an understanding of how Covid-19–related diabetes develops, the natural history of this disease, and appropriate management will be helpful,” diabetes experts involved in the initiative wrote in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 12.
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