Comparison of Serum Ferritin Levels between Diabetic Patients with COVID-19 and Non-diabetic Patients with COVID-19 Based on Age Groups and Gender

Aims: Chronic diseases strongly affect the severity of infection and mortality in patients with COVID-19. High levels of ferritin also indicate the severity of the disease and may indicate the presence of secondary infections among patients. The aim of this study was to compare ferritin levels in diabetic patients with COVID-19 and non-diabetic patients with COVID-19 based on age and gender groups. Instruments & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 patients with COVID-19 and 26 people without COVID-19 referred to the Najaf Hospitals, Najaf, Iraq. Samples were selected by available sampling method. Clinical tests and laboratory diagnosis were used to investigate the subjects. Findings: In diabetic patients with COVID-19, the highest level of ferritin was in the age group of 51-65 years and the lowest level of ferritin was in the age group of ≤20 years. In non-diabetic patients with COVID-19, the highest level of ferritin was in the age group of 66-80 years and the lowest level was in the age group of ≤20 years. In diabetic patients with COVID-19, ferritin levels were higher in women than men. However, in non-diabetic patients with COVID-19, ferritin levels were higher in men than women. There was no significant difference between the disease groups in terms of ferritin production based on age groups and gender (p>0.05). Conclusion: Serum ferritin levels increase in diabetic patients with COVID infection than in non-diabetic COVID-19 patients, and the elderly produce higher levels of ferritin. Also, in diabetic patients ferritin levels increase in women more than men with COVID-19.