• The primary goal of study was to assess the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 morbidity.

• The study took place in Pisa, Italy and 100 patients from the Cisanello Hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia were assessed.

• Nasopharyngeal swab samples and biochemical analysis were obtained during stay and on admission.

• 29 patients were considered obese and 71 patients were considered without obesity. 

• Higher inflammatory markers were found in obese patients as well as a worse pulmonary condition as many, at admission, required higher volumes of oxygen and longer oxygen weaning times. Also, obese cases had positive swabs for a longer period of time and required longer hospital stay as compared to their non-obese counterparts.

• In this study, obesity was not associated with higher mortality rate.

• All in all, obese patients with COVID-19 have a longer hospital stay, longer and more intensive oxygen treatment, and may have increased viral shedding.

Obesity prolongs the hospital stay in patients affected by COVID-19, and may impact on SARS-COV-2 shedding

- Obesity prolongs the hospital stay in patients affected by COVID-19, and may impact on SARS-COV-2 shedding

Ohio State University, Columbus

Obesity is a significant comorbidity for COVID-19, affecting the severity of symptoms, length of hospital stays, and overall clinical outcomes. In obese patients, a higher baseline level of proinflammatory cytokines increases the risk of experiencing a severe cytokine storm. The clinical impact of this comorbidity also varies depending on factors such as geographic location and patient age.

Obesity as a Comorbidity of COVID-19

In populations with a high prevalence of obesity, such as the United States, COVID-19 will affect younger populations more than reported in other countries with lower prevalences of obesity. For example, in a large study of COVID-19 ICU patients in Italy, the median age was 63 years, with only 13% of patients younger than 51 years old and a prevalence of obesity of only 20% compared to the US' 40%.



Implications of Obesity in Patients with COVID-19

Association of Obesity and Age with severe cases of COVID-19

Association of Obesity and Hospital Stay Length

- Risk of infection
- Effects by geographical location
- Proposed disease mechanisms that contribute to morbidity and mortality
- COVID-19 complications and outcomes

Focuses of Obesity in COVID-19 Patients

Metabolic characteristics of obese patients include higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, blood plasma levels of cytokines are higher in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals. Due to these combined risk factors, obese patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of hypercytokinemia where there is an influx of cytokines in the blood within a short amount of time; thus, leading to organ failure, severe lung damage, and significantly increased likelihood of death. 

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