Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Death among 32 Patients with MERS-CoV Infection, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are recognized risk factors for severe clinical outcomes, including death, associated with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection. Among 32 virus-infected patients in Saudi Arabia, severity of illness and frequency of death corresponded closely with presence of multiple and more severe underlying conditions.

Keywords: MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Saudi Arabia; death; diabetes mellitus; hypertension; infection; underlying conditions; vector-borne infections; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Characteristics of 32 case-patients infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, by underlying condition and survival status, Saudi Arabia. 1, DM defined as hyperglycemia recorded during hospitalization (n = 2). 2a, chronic lung disease in 1 patient with no DM or HTN who survived, 1 patient with DM and HTN but no COD who died, and 1 patient with CVD and not CKD who died. 2b, epilepsy in 1 patient with CVD and CKD who died. 2c, uterine cancer in 1 patient with CVD and not CKD who died. COD, chronic organ damage; CKD, chronic kidney disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; HTN, hypertension.