The Association between SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with New-Onset Diabetes: A Retrospective Study from a Diabetic Center in Saudi Arabia

Background: Various reports described new-onset diabetes during or after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with no previous history of diabetes or glucocorticoid use. Further, SARS-CoV-2 could increase the risk of diabetes, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, data on the relationship between new-onset diabetes and COVID-19 are still limited in our region. Thus, we aimed in this study to evaluate the association between new-onset diabetes and DKA in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at a diabetic center in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia, between 2020 and 2021. Demographic data, COVID-19 status, and DKA incidence were collected and verified manually from diabetic patients’ medical records. Data were analyzed using a t-test and chi-square test. Results: We included 54 diabetic patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a median age of 17 years. The majority of patients were females (57.4%). About 38.8% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 16.6% reported having DKA. About 33.3% of the patients who experienced DKA reported being COVID-19-positive. However, only 6% of patients who denied contracting SARS-CoV-2 developed DKA (p-value = 0.020). Conclusions: Patients with newly diagnosed diabetes due to COVID-19 seem at a higher risk of developing DKA. Further epidemiological and molecular studies are required for a better understanding of the correlation between DKA in patients with diabetes and COVID-19

Ocular Complications after COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affects various populations worldwide. The discovery of vaccinations was necessary for the prevention and elimination of the disease. Despite the high importance of these vaccinations, they may cause some complications, such as ocular complications. This study aims to draw attention to the possible complications of the vaccination and highlight its importance. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of the literature from January 2021 to January 2023. A total of 20 published articles were included and reported cases of ocular complications in patients who received COVID-19 vaccines. Results: A total of 243 patients with verified ocular complications following the COVID-19 vaccination were included, ranging in age from 18 to 84 years. The most common ocular complications reported in the current study were ocular inflammatory complications, which represented 47.3%, followed by optic neuritis (24.3%). Retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, acute macular neuroretinopathy, and paracentral acute middle maculopathy represented 10.7%. Herpetic ocular infections and herpetic eye disease (14%). Nearly half (42%) of the patients with ocular problems received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. Conclusions: Despite the high importance of the COVID-19 vaccination, it was found that it is associated with the occurrence of some ocular complications. Future projects should come with more extensive prospective studies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms and risk factors associated with ocular complications following COVID-19 vaccination, thereby enhancing our understanding and guiding appropriate management strategies