Dafeng Liu1, Yong Wang2, Bennan Zhao2, Lijuan Lan2, Yaling Liu2, Lei Bao2, Hong Chen3, Min Yang4, Qingfeng Li5, Yilan Zeng6. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, the Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, No. 18 Jingjusi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, 610066, Sichuan, China. ldf312@126.com. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, the Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, No. 18 Jingjusi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, 610066, Sichuan, China. 3. Department of the Severe Second Ward, The Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, Chengdu, China. 4. Department of the Tuberculosis First Ward, The Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, Chengdu, China. 5. Department of Clinical Medical Laboratory, The Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, Chengdu, China. 6. Department of Vice President's Office, The Public and Health Clinic Centre of Chengdu, No. 18 Jingjusi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, 610066, Sichuan, China. 2499081791@qq.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A dysregulated host immune response is common in patients with COVID-19. AIM: In this study, we aimed to define the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and their relationship with disease progression in COVID-19 patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The baseline peripheral lymphocyte subsets were compared between 55 healthy controls and 95 patients with confirmed COVID-19, and between severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients with or without DM. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM in the COVID-19 group was 20%, and patients with severe COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of DM than those with non-severe disease (P = 0.006). Moreover, a significantly poor prognosis and a higher rate of severity were found in those with DM relative to those without DM (P = 0.001, 0.003). Generally, all lymphocytes and subsets of lymphocytes, especially B and T cells, were significant reduced in COVID-19 patients, particularly in those with DM. Patients with severe COVID-19 and DM had the lowest lymphocyte counts compared with those with severe COVID-19 without DM, and those with non-severe COVID-19 with or without DM. Partially decreased lymphocyte subsets, age and DM were closely related to disease progression and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a reference for clinicians that immunomodulatory treatment may improve disease progression and prognosis of COVID-19 patients, especially those with severe disease with DM. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563.
BACKGROUND: A dysregulated host immune response is common in patients with COVID-19. AIM: In this study, we aimed to define the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and their relationship with disease progression in COVID-19patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The baseline peripheral lymphocyte subsets were compared between 55 healthy controls and 95 patients with confirmed COVID-19, and between severe and non-severe COVID-19patients with or without DM. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM in the COVID-19 group was 20%, and patients with severe COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of DM than those with non-severe disease (P = 0.006). Moreover, a significantly poor prognosis and a higher rate of severity were found in those with DM relative to those without DM (P = 0.001, 0.003). Generally, all lymphocytes and subsets of lymphocytes, especially B and T cells, were significant reduced in COVID-19patients, particularly in those with DM. Patients with severe COVID-19 and DM had the lowest lymphocyte counts compared with those with severe COVID-19 without DM, and those with non-severe COVID-19 with or without DM. Partially decreased lymphocyte subsets, age and DM were closely related to disease progression and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a reference for clinicians that immunomodulatory treatment may improve disease progression and prognosis of COVID-19patients, especially those with severe disease with DM. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2000034563.