Highlights
- Over 7,000 patients from 11 countries were analysed for under the new study
- Obese men are more likely to have a severe COVID-19 infection: Study
- No greater mortality was observed in these groups of patients: Study
Washington: While obesity can lead to a slew of ailments in one’s body, a new study has found that COVID-19 patients who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop a more severe infection. This is in comparison to the patients of healthy weight, and overweight people suffering COVID-19 require oxygen and invasive mechanical ventilation more often. The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘Diabetes Care’. While obese people are at a higher risk of developing a more serious infection, there is no increased risk of death.
Also Read: Study Reveals Mother-To-Newborn COVID-19 Infection Rates Are Low But Indirect Risks Exist
These conclusions, for which more than 7,000 patients were studied, appear from international research in eleven countries, including the Netherlands (Radboud university medical center).
The study, led by Australian researchers, examined over 7,000 patients from 11 different countries who were admitted to 18 hospitals. Of this group, over a third (34.8 per cent) were overweight and almost a third (30.8 per cent) were obese.
COVID-19 patients with obesity required oxygen more frequently and were 73 per cent more likely to require invasive mechanical ventilation. Remarkably, no greater mortality was observed in these groups of patients than in patients of healthy weight. Immunologist Siroon Bekkering of Radboud university medical center, principal investigator of the Dutch part, explained that never before so many different data on obesity have been combined in one large study.
Several national and international observations already showed the important role of overweight and obesity in a more severe COVID-19 course. This study adds to those observations by combining data from several countries with the possibility to look at the risk factors separately. Regardless of other risk factors (such as heart disease or diabetes), we now see that too high a BMI can actually lead to a more severe course in corona infection, Siroon Bekkering said.
One explanation for this is that overweight and obesity are characterised by chronic inflammation, which can perhaps lead to increased susceptibility to viruses. This is also the case with the flu virus.
Also, obese people are more likely to suffer from shortness of breath, which may lead to an increased need for ventilation. Different risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection More risk factors emerge from the study.
For example, this study, similar to other international studies, confirms that men are more likely to have a more severe course of COVID-19 infection. In addition, this study also shows that people older than 65 years of age needed supplemental oxygen more often and are at greater risk of death.
Cardiovascular disease and pre-existing respiratory disease may be associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, but not with an increased risk of using oxygen and mechanical ventilation. For patients with diabetes, there was an increased risk of needing invasive respiratory support, but no additional increase in risk in those with both obesity and diabetes. There was no increased risk of death.
Also Read: No Serious Side-Effect Attached To COVID-19 Vaccines: Director-General Of Health Services
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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