Recognizing risk factors associated with poor outcomes among patients with COVID-19

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected >610 million people globally, exerting major social, economic, and health impacts. Despite the large number of global casualities and severe symptomatology associated with COVID-19, a large number of individuals remain at elevated risk of infection and severe outcomes related to poor lifestyle behaviors and/or associated comorbidities. Beyond the well-known social distance and masking policies, maintaining an active lifestyle, minimizing the consumption of tobacco products, and maintaining an adequate nutrition status are some of the key factors that, in an affordable and accessible way, have the potential to improve health and minimize COVID-19 impact. In addition, bringing awareness of the higher risks and poor prognosis of COVID-19 when other conditions are present seems to be essential to protect those individuals with the highest risks.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiovascular disease; Physical activity; Risk factors; Sedentary behavior.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

The effect of modifiable and not-modifiable factors on COVID-19 outcomes. All values expressed as statistically significant odds ratios (OR). Information has been compiled from statistically significant ORs from the corresponding study. Severe obesity: individuals with a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m². CKD: Chronic kidney disease; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ILD: Interstitial lung disease.