Diabetes Mellitus Exacerbates COVID-19 Severity and Prolongs Recovery: A Clinical Study from Southern Iraq

Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi; Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim; Mustafa Abbass; Shahab Abdulla; Ralela Makline

Article Details

Diabetes Mellitus Exacerbates COVID-19 Severity and Prolongs Recovery: A Clinical Study from Southern Iraq

Authors:

Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi | Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim | Mustafa Abbass | Shahab Abdulla | Ralela Makline

Publisher:

Al-Ayen Iraqi University

Journal:

AUIQ Complementary Biological System Vol.3 Issue 2, pp.86-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001932547

pISSN:

3007-973X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Diabetes mellitus (DM) constitutes one of the most consequential comorbidities shaping the clinical trajectory of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), operating through intersecting mechanisms of chronic inflammation, endothelial injury, and immunosuppression that collectively amplify viral pathogenicity. This study investigated the impact of diabetes type on COVID-19 symptom severity, hospitalization duration, and recovery time among patients in Nasiriyah City, southern Iraq — a region substantially underrepresented in the global DM–COVID-19 literature. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across healthcare facilities in Nasiriyah City from 2023 to 2024. A total of 150 hospitalized adult patients carrying confirmed diagnoses of both COVID-19 and type 1 or type 2 diabetes were enrolled through convenience sampling. Structured questionnaires and verified hospital medical records captured demographic data, symptom profiles, glycemic management, hospitalization duration, and recovery outcomes. Chi-square and independent t-tests examined between-group associations; significance was set at p < 0.05. Type 2 diabetes predominated (66.7%). Fatigue (86.7%), fever (80.0%), and cough (73.3%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Diabetes type was significantly associated with COVID-19 severity (χ² = 12.45, p = 0.002), hospitalization duration (χ² = 7.89, p = 0.006), and recovery time (χ² = 4.67, p = 0.035). Over half (53.3%) of participants reported subjectively worsened COVID-19 symptoms attributable to their diabetes. Diabetes — particularly type 2 — significantly worsens COVID-19 outcomes in this southern Iraqi cohort. Optimized glycemic control upon admission and targeted care protocols for diabetic COVID-19 patients represent urgent clinical priorities for resource-limited healthcare settings.

Article Details

Diabetes Mellitus Exacerbates COVID-19 Severity and Prolongs Recovery: A Clinical Study from Southern Iraq

Authors:

Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi | Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim | Mustafa Abbass | Shahab Abdulla | Ralela Makline

Publisher:

Al-Ayen Iraqi University

Journal:

AUIQ Complementary Biological System Vol.3 Issue 2, pp.86-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001932547

pISSN:

3007-973X

Diabetes mellitus

COVID-19

Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Hyperglycemia

Clinical outcomes

Issues

Article Details

Diabetes Mellitus Exacerbates COVID-19 Severity and Prolongs Recovery: A Clinical Study from Southern Iraq

Authors: Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi | Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim | Mustafa Abbass | Shahab Abdulla | Ralela Makline

Publisher: Al-Ayen Iraqi University

Journal: AUIQ Complementary Biological System Vol.3 Issue 2, pp.86-93

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001932547

pISSN: 3007-973X

Diabetes mellitus

COVID-19

Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Hyperglycemia

Clinical outcomes

Issues

Authors:

Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi | Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim | Mustafa Abbass | Shahab Abdulla | Ralela Makline

Publisher:

Al-Ayen Iraqi University

Journal:

AUIQ Complementary Biological System Vol.3 Issue 2, pp.86-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001932547

pISSN:

3007-973X