Increased insulin resistance with reduced beta cell function in recovered COVID-19 Ghanaians

Aim

This study compares levels of insulin resistance and beta-cell function and their relationship with liver enzymes in recovered COVID-19 participants and their uninfected counterparts in a cross-sectional study design in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana.

Methods

Biochemical indices for liver function, lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed under fasting state in 110 recovered COVID-19 and 116 uninfected participants. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) were employed for the assessment of insulin resistance.

Results

Recovered COVID-19 participants presented lower (P < 0.05) levels of fasting glucose, insulin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and beta-cell function but higher (P < 0.05) levels of alanine/aspartate transferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and HOMA-IR than their uninfected counterparts. The mean levels of the remaining indices were comparable (P > 0.05) between the study groups. Prevalence of insulin resistance ranged from 61 % (71/116) to 81 % (89/110) for the uninfected and recovered COVID-19 participants respectively. Selected liver enzymes associated with HOMA-IR and TyG.

Conclusion

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus appears higher in recovered COVID-19 participants than their uninfected counterparts despite the high prevalence of insulin resistance in both groups.