Evaluation of Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Lipodystrophy Patients During the Pandemic Period

Objective: Coronavirus Disease 2019’s (COVID-19) impact on rare disease populations such as lipodystrophy syndromes is unknown. We assessed COVID-19 infection outcomes in lipodystrophy syndromes and aimed to investigate the effect of restricted access to the hospital during the pandemic on metabolic parameters.

Methods: A survey form consisting of descriptive questions about the situation of the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was created. The survey was performed by phone in February and March 2021; all patients gave verbal consent. Patients diagnosed with lipodystrophy syndromes participated in our study. Demographic parameters were recorded. They were asked if they were diagnosed with COVID-19; if so, the hospitalization, intensive care unit need, oxygen requirement, and COVID-19 treatment were questioned. Laboratory data were recorded from the hospital records.

Results: Seventy-one patients were investigated. Lipodystrophy patients in our study had at least 1 comorbid disease. Diabetes mellitus was the most common (87.1%). Six patients stated they had a COVID-19 infection (6/71, 8.5%). Three cases (50.0%) were hospitalized, and 1 (16.6%) patient was followed up in the intensive care unit. There were no deaths in our cohort. When the laboratory parameters of the entire group were evaluated, spot urine microalbumin increased significantly compared to the prepandemic period (P=.013).

Conclusion: Lipodystrophy patients may experience COVID-19 more severely due to their numerous comorbidities. Further research should be conducted with larger patient cohorts to investigate this relationship.

Cite this article as: Güngör Semiz G, Demir T, Yıldırım Şimşir I, et al. Evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019-related morbidity and mortality in lipodystrophy patients during the pandemic period. Endocrinol Res Pract. 2024. [epub ahead of print]