Meta-analysis finds 8.33% pooled prevalence of new-onset diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection in adultsStudy finds link between COVID-19 infection and new diabetes diagnoses in adults

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism Published April 2, 2026 Study authors: Keels Jordan N, LaPlante Rose D, Lee Christopher S, Dwyer Andrew A PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Consider potential association between COVID-19 and new diabetes, but note high heterogeneity in observational data.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of new-onset diabetes in adults (≥18 years) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The analysis included 33 articles, with the primary outcome being the prevalence of new-onset diabetes (combined type 1, type 2, or undefined). The comparator was not reported, and the setting was not specified.

The pooled prevalence of new-onset diabetes was 8.33% (95% CI 7.47, 9.18%, p < 0.001). For type 2 diabetes specifically, the prevalence was 8.92% (95% CI 7.88%, 9.96%, p < 0.001). For type 1 diabetes, the prevalence was 0.86% (95% CI 0.0072%, 0.0099%, p < 0.001). Meta-regression did not identify a significant relationship between prevalence and follow-up duration, age, or sex at the study level. Safety and tolerability data were not reported.

Key limitations were not reported in the input, but the authors note the analysis is based on observational studies and cannot establish causation. The certainty of the evidence is tempered by very high statistical heterogeneity (I² = 99.68% for combined diabetes, 99.96% for T2DM, 99.94% for T1DM), indicating substantial variation between the included studies. The practice relevance was not reported, but the findings suggest clinicians should be aware of a potential association between COVID-19 and new diabetes diagnoses while recognizing the inherent limitations of the evidence.

Researchers analyzed 33 existing studies to understand how often adults develop new diabetes after having COVID-19. They looked at data from adults aged 18 and older who had been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The studies tracked people for different lengths of time after their infection.

The analysis found that about 8.3% of adults in these studies were diagnosed with new diabetes after COVID-19. When looking at specific types, about 8.9% developed type 2 diabetes and about 0.86% developed type 1 diabetes. The studies did not report specific safety concerns related to this finding.

It's important to be careful with these results because this was a meta-analysis of observational studies, which cannot prove that COVID-19 causes diabetes. The studies included were very different from each other, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. The analysis also found no clear relationship between diabetes risk and factors like age, sex, or how long people were followed.

Readers should understand that this research shows a link between COVID-19 infection and diabetes diagnosis, but more studies are needed to understand why this happens. The results come from combining many different types of research, so the exact risk may vary for different people.

What this means for you:

Research shows a link between COVID-19 and new diabetes diagnoses, but more study is needed to understand the connection.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

PMID41605818

View Original Abstract ↓

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of new-onset diabetes in adults (≥ 18 years) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This meta-analysis includes studies written in English that measured the number of adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with diabetes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies underwent dual independent review; quality was assessed by using the New Castle Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to obtain the pooled estimate of new-onset diabetes. To understand the relationship between patient characteristics (age, sex) and study variable (duration of follow-up), a random effects meta-regression was used. RESULTS: A total of 33 articles were retained for analysis. The overall estimated prevalence of new-onset diabetes (combined T1DM and T2DM or undefined) was 8.33% (95% CI 7.47, 9.18%, z = 19.04, p < 0.001; Q = 6791.24, I, 99.68%). The overall estimated prevalence of new-onset T2DM in COVID-19 was 8.92% (95% CI 7.88%, 9.96%, z = 16.77, p < 0.001; Q = 27659.74; p < 0.001, I = 99.96%). The overall estimated prevalence of new-onset T1DM was 0.86% (95% CI 0.0072%, 0.0099%, z = 12.59, p < 0.001; Q = 9456.28; p < 0.001, I = 99.94%). At the study level, there was no significant relationship identified with age, sex, or follow-up duration. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a notable increase in T2DM or combined (T1DM, T2DM, or undefined) conditions. As such, it may be important to understand the underlying factors contributing to increased prevalence.

Meta-analysis finds 8.33% pooled prevalence of new-onset diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection in adultsStudy finds link between COVID-19 infection and new diabetes diagnoses in adults

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Meta-analysis finds 8.33% pooled prevalence of new-onset diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection in adultsStudy finds link between COVID-19 infection and new diabetes diagnoses in adults

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