Diabetes Mellitus is Associated With Higher COVID-19 Mortality Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Cureus

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2022 Aug 18

PMID 35978734

Authors

Ben Bepouka

Ossam Odio

Donat Mangala

Nadine Mayasi

Madone Mandina

Murielle Longokolo

Jean Robert Makulo

Marcel Mbula

Jean Marie Kayembe

Hippolyte Situakibanza

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The rate of COVID-19-related mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is unknown. The current study aimed to determine the mortality rate of COVID-19 among diabetes patients in SSA. We performed a systematic review of research articles until July 1, 2021. A literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to gather relevant data. A random effects model was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used Egger's tests and Begg's funnel plot to examine publication bias. The mortality rate of 7778 COVID-19 patients was analyzed using data from seven studies. The I test was used to determine the heterogeneity between studies. The meta-analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus was linked to a 1.39-fold increase in the risk of death among COVID-19 inpatients (95% CI: 1.02-1.76). According to our findings, there was no significant heterogeneity between studies, and there was no publication bias. The present review describes an association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of COVID-19 mortality in SSA.

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