The relationship between hyperglycemia and the infection of COVID-19 in diabetic patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: DM is a common chronic metabolic disease. COVID-19 is an infectious disease infected by enveloped single-stranded RNA coronavirus. Meanwhile, DM is a common comorbidity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus can directly or indirectly damage the pancreatic islets and cause stress hyperglycemia by causing cytokine storms, acute inflammatory reactions, binding to the ACE2 receptor, etc. At the same time, hyperglycemia is a risk factor for severe infection and an independent risk factor for mild to severe disease. However, there is no evidence-based medicine to confirm the relationship between hyperglycemia and the infection of COVID-19 in diabetic patients. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing clinical evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will retrieve each database from December 2019 to July 2020. Chinese literature comes from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM databases. English literature mainly searches Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE. At the same time, we will look for clinical trial registration and gray literature. This study only included clinical randomized controlled trials. The reviewers independently conduct literature selection, data analysis, bias risk assessment, subgroup and sensitivity analysis. The primary outcomes include fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting insulin, adverse effects, etc. Finally, we will conduct a meta-analysis through Review Manager software version 5.3. RESULTS: The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSION: This study will explore the relationship between hyperglycemia and COVID-19 infection in diabetic patients. It will provide evidence-based support for clinical regulation of blood glucose and combating the COVID-19 epidemic. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202060114