Diabetes and Hypertension Linked To Covid Mortality

Most people who died from Covid-19 in Malaysia suffered from diabetes and hypertension, said the health ministry. As at Oct 28, 37.3 per cent of Covid-19 fatalities this year had a background of diabetes - about four in 10 deaths. It was a small drop from last year, when 38.8 per cent of deaths involved diabetics. 

Globally, we know that people living with non-communicable diseases are at higher risk of more serious infections and Covid-19 deaths. This is especially more so for people living with diabetes, particularly if their condition is poorly controlled. 

When a diabetes patient was infected with Covid-19, there were potentially more severe effects including inflammation. Nearly one in five adults or an estimated 3.9 million individuals are living with diabetes in Malaysia. About half of them were unaware that they had this disease.

The prevalence of diabetes among younger individuals aged between 18 and 40 has doubled over the past 15 years. Increase in diabetes in the younger age groups, mainly due to childhood obesity. The rising number of diabetics mean a heavier burden of the disease and its complications: heart disease, stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease and lower limb amputation, among others.

As for hypertension, it is one of the main non-communicable diseases in Malaysia, affecting three in 10 adults in the country. This is an estimated 6.4 million people, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019.