Simonnet (2020)
High prevalence of obesity in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.
https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22831
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32271993
Patient characteristics
BMI (Severe obesity (>35kg/m2) vs. Normal (<25 kg/m2))
COVID-19 (severe/critical)
Odds ratio: 7.360 (1.630-33.140) Adjusted model

France

Retrospective cohort study

Medical records

124

Consecutive patients admitted in intensive care for SARS-CoV-2, in a single French center.

SARS-CoV-2 study participants were predominantly males (73%), and their median (IQR) age was 60 (51 to 70) years. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia according to World Health Organization interim guidance (11) with SARS symptoms characterized by dyspnea, increased respiratory frequency, decreased blood oxygen saturation, and need for oxygen support therapy for at least 6 L/min. Throat swab samples were obtained from all patients at admission and tested using real-time reverse transcriptase??polymerase chain reaction assays as previously described to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection

0


COVID-19 (severe/critical)

85

COVID-19 (invasive mechanical ventilation[IMV]): The use of IMV was determined when oxygen therapy (? 10 L/min) with target spO2 (90-94%) was ineffective, and when respiratory rate was above 25/min, with signs of acute respiratory failure, despite maximal oxygen therapy


Patient characteristics

BMI

>=35 kg/m2 vs. <25 kg/m2

Normal (<25 kg/m2)

Severe obesity (>35kg/m2)


Odds ratio

7.360 (1.630-33.140)

No

Yes

Yes

Sex, BMI categories, age, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension BMI category - obese I (?35 kg/m2 vs. <25 kg/m2)


This cohort study showed that obesity is a factor in disease severity of SARS-CoV-2, having greatest impact in patients with a BMI ?35 kg/m2.

Good

Yes