Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Laboratory Parameters in Diabetic Retinopathy of the Central Rural Population of India

Background: COVID-19 has significantly impacted the healthcare system globally and posed high effects on subjects with chronic diseases such as diabetes and sequel like diabetes retinopathy. Aim: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on laboratory parameters in diabetic retinopathy in the central rural population of India. Materials and Methods: The study assessed 100 subjects with diabetic retinopathy who underwent COVID-19 vaccination. In all the subjects, blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, SGOT, SGPT/ALT, ALP, and cholesterol levels were assessed to assess any association with DR progression. For quality control, validation of calibration Multical-XL and control Erba Path and Erba Norm results was done before processing the sample. In laboratory parameters, blood glucose was assessed using glucose oxidase peroxidase (GOD) method, glycosylated hemoglobin with immunoturbidimetrique method, Urea by urease) enzymatic method, creatinine using enzymatic method, total bilirubin by Diazo method, total protein using Biuret method, albumin by BCG method, SGOT/AST - IFCC without the pyridoxal phosphate method, SGPT/ALT with IFCC without the pyridoxal phosphate method, ALP by AMP method, and cholesterol by CHOD-POD method. The data gathered were statistically analyzed using SPSS (software version 24.0) for assessment of descriptive measures, Student t-test, and ANOVA [P < 0.05]. Results: It was seen that in individuals with <5 years of diabetes, 34% had mild NPDR, 5% had moderate NPDR, 3% had severe NPDR, and 5% had PDR. Studies show that the 6–10-year period NPDR was more accounting, and as the duration of diabetes progressed, PDR was on the rise, reaching a peak of 11–15 years. We observed a significant change between and within groups. Conclusion: The present study concludes that hypoglycemia increases renal impairment and diabetic retinopathy incidence. However, its incidence has remarkably increased, with diabetes duration and diabetic age being reduced significantly after COVID-19.