Investigation of the Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension and the Chest Computed Tomography Scan and Short‑term Clinical Outcome in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia

This study aims to investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension and the distribution and severity of pulmonary involvement and short‑term clinical outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pneumonia.

In this case–control study, a group of patients with DM and COVID‑19 pneumonia are compared to a group without DM. Demographic information, history of diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, tobacco use, laboratory data, current blood pressure, and chest computed tomography (CT) scan of all patients were extracted. The patients’ laboratory tests were performed on the same day that the chest CT scan was performed. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

The results show that gender, age, smoking, and history of kidney disease were not significantly associated with the history of diabetes and hypertension (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the history of diabetes and hypertension had no significant relationship with the distribution and severity of pulmonary involvement and short‑term clinical outcome (P > 0.05). However, among the laboratory findings, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly associated with a history of diabetes and blood urea nitrogen values were associated with a history of hypertension (P < 0.05).

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the history of diabetes and hypertension has no significant relationship with the distribution and severity of pulmonary involvement and short‑term clinical outcome.