Association of Physical Activity level with the COVID-19 Incidence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

 Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is among the epidemic metabolic chronic diseases that attenuates physiological functions, including hematopoiesis and immune responses, developing a higher risk of COVID-19 incidence. This study purposed to study the association of physical activity level (PAL) with the COVID-19 incidence in patients with T2DM.

 All patients with T2DM from Kermanshah (Iran) were among the statistical population of this study. Using Cochran's formula, 424 patients with T2DM (220 women, 224 men) were chosen. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed the PAL. To compare the variables between men and women the independent t-test was used. Also, to evaluate the relationship between variables the Pearson correlation coefficient test was used (SPSS software version 24) at a significant level of (P≤0.05).

 Based on the results, no significant difference was observed in PAL and COVID-19 incidence between women and men (P=0.342). Also, a significant positive relationship was observed between low and high PAL with COVID-19 incidence in men (r=0.638, P=0.039; r=0.231, P=0.048) and women (r=0.728, P=0.011; r=0.331, P=0.018), respectively. However, there was a significant inverse relationship between the moderate PAL and the incidence of COVID-19 among women (r=-0.791, P=0.021) and men (r=-0.731, P=0.029).

 Most of the patients with T2DM had an inadequate PAL. Compared with low and high PALs, moderate PAL might have lowered the incidence of COVID-19 more effectively. Finally, a moderate PAL is recommended to patients with T2DM to boost the immune system and prevent COVID-19 infection than high or low PAL.