Aims: To investigate the clinical outcome of patients with confirmed COVID-19 who had diabetes mellitus as a comorbidity at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah.   Methods: Retrospective study conducted at an academic tertiary hospital, included 147 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The data included: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c level, medications, co-morbidities, length of hospital stay, the clinical outcome of the patients, and complications related to COVID-19 during the hospital stay. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16.

 Results: 54% had HbA1c levels >9%. With regard to other health problems, 73% reported having health problems. 31% and 18% required ICU admission and intubation respectively. Median length of hospital stay was 12 days. Regarding clinical outcomes, the majority recovered without complications (78%), while 9% recovered with complications and 13% died.

Conclusions:  The difference in outcomes based on HbA1c levels was not statistically significant, therefore there was no difference in other clinical parameters based on the different levels of HbA1c. Further, large studies should be conducted to determine the relationships between diabetes, antidiabetic medications, and COVID-related morbidity and mortality.