Analysis of post-COVID syndrome and preventive strategies in diabetes mellitus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2077-6594/2025.3/03Keywords:
long COVID, metabolic comorbidity, micronutrient supplementation, immune system support, chronic disease management, nutritional interventionsAbstract
Purpose. The aim of this paper is to analyze the factors contributing to the occurrence of post-COVID syndrome in patients with diabetes mellitus and to highlight the importance of preventive strategies, including nutritional support, in managing the long-term consequences following COVID-19.Material and methods. The study included 181 patients with diabetes mellitus who had recovered from COVID-19 and were hospitalized in Slovakia. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing the chi-square test and the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests.Results. The results showed that the occurrence of post-COVID syndrome was associated with the duration of diabetes – patients with a longer disease duration more frequently reported post-COVID symptoms. The most common symptoms were fatigue, joint and muscle pain, shortness of breath, and sleep disturbances. A significant difference was also found in the use of vitamins and minerals – patients without symptoms more often reported regular supplementation (e.g., vitamins C, D, zinc, B-complex), suggesting a potential protective effect. Neither gender nor age showed a statistically significant impact on the occurrence of symptoms. Although slight differences were observed between age groups, the p-value confirmed they were not significant. This result may be related to the uneven distribution of respondents across age categories and the variability of symptoms.Conclusions. Post-COVID syndrome in diabetic patients represents a clinically serious issue that requires an individualized and multidisciplinary approach, including targeted prevention and nutritional support.
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