Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Development Following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

J Korean Med Sci. 2023 Jan 9;38(2):e12. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e12.

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination-induced hyperglycemia and related complications have been reported. However, there have been few reports of type 1 diabetes triggered by COVID-19 vaccines in subjects without diabetes. Here, we report the case of a 56-year-old female patient who developed hyperglycemia after the second dose of COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccination without a prior history of diabetes. She visited our hospital with uncontrolled hyperglycemia despite administration of oral hyperglycemic agents. Her initial glycated hemoglobin level was high (11.0%), and fasting serum C-peptide level was normal. The fasting serum C-peptide level decreased to 0.269 ng/mL 5 days after admission, and the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody was positive. The patient was discharged in stable condition with insulin treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the development of type 1 diabetes without diabetic ketoacidosis after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination, and is the oldest case of type 1 diabetes development under such circumstances.

Keywords: COVID-19; Type 1 Diabetes; Vaccination; mRNA Vaccines.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • C-Peptide / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia* / complications
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Vaccination / adverse effects

Substances

  • C-Peptide
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Insulin

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