COVID-19 induced type 1 diabetes: A systematic review of case reports and series

AIMS: To provide an overview of reported cases of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) following COVID-19 infection. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus library databases were screened for relevant case reports published between January 2020 and June 2022. Study design, geographic region or language were not restricted. RESULTS: Twenty studies were identified and involved 37 patients (20 [54%] male, 17 [46%] female). Median age was 11.5 years (range 8 months–33 years) and 31 (84%) patients were aged ≤17 years. Most patients (33, 89%) presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In total, 23 (62%) patients presented at the time of positive COVID-19 testing and 14 (38%) had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection or a previous positive test (1–56 days). Diabetes symptomatology was provided in 22 cases and (19, 86%) reported polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, or weight loss or a combination of the aforementioned in the preceding weeks (3 days–12 weeks). Of the 28 patients that had data on acute and long-term treatment, all recovered well and most were managed with basal bolus insulin regimens. Quality assessment showed that most reports were either ‘good’ or ‘moderate quality’. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, new-onset T1D is a condition healthcare professionals may expect to see following a COVID-19 infection.