Can the cardio-renal benefits of new glucose-lowering agents mitigate the excess risk associated with COVID-19 infection in type 2 diabetes? A nationwide registry-based evaluation

Diabetes is a risk factor associated with COVID-19, but the cause of this increased risk is unknown. It could be late complications or elevated blood glucose. The importance of ACE inhibitors for treating blood pressure has been debated, and it is unclear whether new diabetes therapy to protect the heart and kidneys (GLP-1 and SGLT2 inhibitors) could be beneficial in relation to COVID-19. The project will elucidate this based on nationwide registry data. It will analyse what characterizes people with diabetes who test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the risk factors for serious complications and death among people hospitalized with COVID-19. Hopefully, the project may help to identify the people who need special care and who do not have an elevated risk despite having diabetes. The project may also help clarify the importance of treating elevated blood glucose and blood pressure in connection with COVID-19.