Cardiometabolic outcomes up to 12 months after COVID-19 infection. A matched cohort study in the UK (19 July 2022)

Summary

COVID-19 has been associated with new-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), but it is not known whether COVID-19 has long-term impacts on cardiometabolic outcomes. This study from Rezell-Potts et al. aimed to determine whether the incidence of new DM and CVDs are increased over 12 months after COVID-19 compared with matched controls. The study found that CVD was increased early after COVID-19 mainly from pulmonary embolism, atrial arrhythmias, and venous thromboses. DM incidence remained elevated for at least 12 weeks following COVID-19 before declining. People without preexisting CVD or DM who suffer from COVID-19 do not appear to have a long-term increase in incidence of these conditions.

Content

What do these findings mean?

• Acute COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, but risk generally returns to background levels soon after the infection.
• The risk of new DM remains increased for at least 12 weeks following COVID-19 before declining.
• Patients recovering from COVID-19 should be advised to consider measures to reduce diabetes risk including healthy diet and taking exercise.
• People without preexisting CVD or DM who suffer from COVID-19 do not appear to have a long-term increase in incidence of these conditions.