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. 2021;14(5):481-489.
doi: 10.1159/000517180. Epub 2021 Aug 5.

The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Serdar Sahin  1   2 , Havva Sezer  2   3 , Ebru Cicek  4 , Yeliz Yagız Ozogul  4 , Murat Yildirim  4 , Tevhide Betul Icli  4 , Ozge Polat Korkmaz  1   2 , Emre Durcan  1   2 , Cem Sulu  1   2 , Kayra Somay  3 , Bahar Bekdemir  3 , Sermin Borekci  5 , Dilek Yazici  2   3 , Oguzhan Deyneli  2   3 , Onder Ergonul  6 , Fehmi Tabak  7 , Yalim Dikmen  8 , Hande Mefkure Ozkaya  1 , Mustafa Sait Gonen  1 , Taner Damci  1   2 , Hasan Ilkova  1   2 , Volkan Demirhan Yumuk  1   2
Affiliations

The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Serdar Sahin et al. Obes Facts. 2021.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this was to describe the predictors of mortality related to COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

Methods: We included the patients >18 years of age, with at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patients were grouped according to body mass index values as normal weight <25 kg/m2 (Group A), overweight from 25 to <30 kg/m2 (Group B), Class I obesity 30 to <35 kg/m2 (Group C), and ≥35 kg/m2 (Group D). Mortality, clinical outcomes, laboratory parameters, and comorbidities were compared among 4 groups.

Results: There was no significant difference among study groups in terms of mortality. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation requirement was higher in group B and D than group A, while it was higher in Group D than Group C (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.017], Group D vs. Group A [p = 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.016]). Lung involvement was less common in Group A, and presence of hypoxia was more common in Group D (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.025], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p = 0.006], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.014]). The hospitalization rate was lower in Group A than in the other groups; in addition, patients in Group D have the highest rate of hospitalization (Group B vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group C vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p < 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.010]).

Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with overweight and obesity presented with more severe clinical findings. Health-care providers should take into account that people living with overweight and obesity are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its complications.

Keywords: COVID-19; Inflammatory markers; Obesity; Respiratory support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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