'The difference in mortality is striking': Sask. doctor warns of COVID-19 risk in people with diabetes
A Saskatoon doctor is urging people with diabetes to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Mike Prystajecky, a general internist at City Hospital, said the stats are shocking when it comes to COVID-19 and diabetes.
“In the general public, about three per cent of people who acquire COVID-19 will need to be admitted to hospital. If you’re diabetic, that’s about 17 per cent, so it’s a six-fold increase,” Dr. Prystajecky said.
“It is a bit of a surprise. The difference in mortality is striking.”
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, people with diabetes who catch COVID-19 are 5.3 times more likely to be hospitalized, 7.5 times more likely to end up in the ICU and 6.9 times more likely to die.
People with COVID-19 and diabetes tend to be older as well, according to the health authority. The average age of people who contract COVID-19 with diabetes is 57, compared to 31 without diabetes.
Prystajecky said other risk factors tend to accompany diabetes, including the higher age, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
“But even in studies where they controlled for those other risk factors, we see that diabetics are at an increased risk of dying and that likely relates to altered immune function,” he said.
He encouraged people with diabetes to be extra cautious, saying “prevention is the best medicine,” especially with the Delta variant.
“The tighter your control is the more likely you are to have a favourable outcome.”
A PARAMEDIC’S EXPERIENCE
Dennis Opekokew is a paramedic for the Athabasca Health Authority. He has diabetes and hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, and has been taking extra precaution throughout the pandemic.
Opekokew said while it’s been stressful, he can control his condition with medication, unlike people with uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension.
“Just having one of those makes it harder for the body to fight a virus coming in, which would be COVID. If you have two or more issues going on with your system, then it makes it all the more difficult to fight off the virus.”
As a frontline health care worker, Opekokew was able to quickly get his COVID-19 vaccine.
“It was a bit of a relief knowing I could still get COVID with the vaccine, but I won’t get it as serious. It made me feel better about it. I worry about catching it, contracting it all the time,” he said.
ADVICE FROM DIABETES CANADA
Diabetes Canada said there are several reasons why someone with diabetes is more likely to have a complicated case of COVID-19.
“COVID-19, like other viral infections, can cause immune and inflammatory responses in which the body essential attacks itself to try and get rid of the virus,” Amanda Sterczyk, manager of research and public policy, told CTV.
“People living with diabetes may already have some low-grade inflammation and higher blood sugar levels that can further worsen the inflammation. In addition, people with diabetes may have problems with blood vessels that can increase risk for blood clots.”
Like Prystajecky, Sterczyk said managing diabetes and practicing healthy habits, such as a proper diet and physical activity, will help your body fight COVID-19 if you contract it.
“It’s really important that people get vaccinated when they’re eligible, that they continue to follow public health guidelines,” Sterczyk said.
“Practicing good hand hygiene, which is really important, especially if you are testing your blood sugar or administering any sort of medication, you need to make sure you’ve washed your hands ahead of time.”
According to Diabetes Canada, many don’t even know they have the disease.
“There are almost 1.7 million Canadians who are living with type 2 diabetes and aren’t even aware of this,” Sterczyk said.
“If you have any family history of diabetes, if you’re over the age of 40, you should be getting tested every year.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.