The Effects of Diabetes on Risk of Infection.

Seo,  Ji A

doi:2017.18.1.14

J Korean Diabetes > Volume 18(1); 2017 > Article

Focused Issue

The Journal of Korean Diabetes 2017;18(1):14-19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2017.18.1.14 Published online April 3, 2017.

당뇨병이 감염에 미치는 영향

서지아

The Effects of Diabetes on Risk of Infection.

Ji A Seo

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. seo-ji-a@hanmail.net

Abstract

A relationship between diabetes and infection has long been accepted clinically. Host-specific factors that are thought to predispose diabetic patients to infection include hyperglycemia-related impairment of the immune response, vascular insufficiency, diabetic peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and skin and mucosal colonization of pathogens. Some uncommon but life-threatening infections (e.g., malignant otitis media, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, gangrenous cholecystitis) occur almost exclusively in people with diabetes. Previous large population-based observational studies have reported strong associations between higher HbA1c and infection risks for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, the potential of better long-term glycemic control to prevent infection remains controversial due to sparse randomized controlled trials. More high-quality, prospective studies with sufficient control of confounding factors and repeated HbA1c measures are necessary.

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Hyperglycemia, Infection