Comparison of D-dimer values among COVID-19 patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) especially those with vascular complications exhibit elevated D-dimer levels. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the D-dimer concentrations in subjects with COVID-19, with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The mean D-dimer concentration was significantly higher among those with T2DM than those without T2DM (228.45 vs 112.74 ng/mL) (p=0.05). The D-dimer level was found to be abnormal in 52.2 % of diabetic patients and it was 47.8 % in non-diabetics, making it clinically significant. The mean D-dimer levels with respect to diabetes control and other inflammatory biochemical parameters, such as CRP, Ferritin and LDH, were higher in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. These outcomes indicate the concept that the presence of diabetes along with COVID-19 could further enhance the hypercoagulable condition induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, thus exhibiting a higher likelihood of thrombotic complications and worse clinical outcomes.