How does diabetes affect COVID-19 outcomes? Read the week’s top stories in endocrinology

Adults with diabetes could be up to twice as likely to die from complications related to COVID-19 than adults without diabetes, according to a recent analysis. It was the top story in endocrinology last week.

Another top story showed that individuals with diabetes and COVID-19 were more likely to develop pneumonia and uncontrolled inflammation than those without diabetes who contracted the novel coronavirus.

Read these and more of last week’s top stories in endocrinology below:

Diabetes may worsen outcomes in COVID-19

Adults with diabetes are no more likely to contract COVID-19 than people without diabetes, but could be up to twice as likely to die from complications of the disease, according to an analysis of data from China and Italy published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. Read more.

Pneumonia, uncontrolled inflammation more common in COVID-19 with diabetes

A cohort of Chinese adults with diabetes but without other comorbidities were more likely to develop inflammatory storm leading to rapid deterioration in COVID-19 compared with adults without diabetes who contracted the novel coronavirus, study data from Wuhan show. Read more.

Large thighs may signal lower hypertension risk in obesity

A larger thigh circumference may be associated with lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for developing cardiovascular disease among people with overweight or obesity, according to findings published in Endocrine Connections. Read more.

Lilly introduces $35 insulin copay card in response to COVID-19

Eli Lilly announced on Tuesday it will introduce a $35 insulin copay card for anyone with commercial insurance and those without insurance in response to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, according to an industry press release. Read more.

‘Pace of change is dizzying’: Joslin Diabetes Center navigates shifts in care brought on by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health care institutions around the country and around the globe to change the way they practice medicine. Clinicians at Joslin Diabetes Center — the world’s largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic and provider of diabetes education —ramped up the organization’s telehealth capabilities within a week’s time to provide remote care for routine and nonurgent appointments, while fielding questions from anxious patients about access to medications and risks for worse coronavirus complications that can come with poorly controlled diabetes. Read more.