INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been declared a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In this rapid review, we provide an overview of recently-published papers with clinical and epidemiological relevance on this topic. METHODS: As part of a weekly COVID-19 data mining meeting, we conducted a literature review regarding the role of obesity in COVID-19 outcomes, particularly in young patients with COVID-19. We utilized the PubMed, Upstate Medical University Health Sciences Library, Google Scholar, and LitCovid databases to identify the articles. RESULTS: Our group identified seven relevant publications (four retrospective case series and three reviews). CONCLUSION: Our group's review of this topic illustrates that obesity is a common comorbidity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of intermittent mandatory ventilation within the first 10 days of hospitalization and a higher risk of admission to acute or critical hospital care, including in patients aged less than 60 years, with one study showing it to be a greater risk factor than cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions for critical COVID-19 illness. There are some indications that moderate-intensity exercise may be beneficial for promoting a healthy immune system in patients with and without obesity. Given these findings, hospitals should ensure their staff are prepared and their facilities are adequately equipped to provide high-quality care to patients with obesity (PWO) hospitalized with COVID-19. Family medicine and primary care physicians are encouraged to counsel their PWO about their increased risk for morbidity and mortality during this pandemic.
INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been declared a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In this rapid review, we provide an overview of recently-published papers with clinical and epidemiological relevance on this topic. METHODS: As part of a weekly COVID-19 data mining meeting, we conducted a literature review regarding the role of obesity in COVID-19 outcomes, particularly in young patients with COVID-19. We utilized the PubMed, Upstate Medical University Health Sciences Library, Google Scholar, and LitCovid databases to identify the articles. RESULTS: Our group identified seven relevant publications (four retrospective case series and three reviews). CONCLUSION: Our group's review of this topic illustrates that obesity is a common comorbidity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of intermittent mandatory ventilation within the first 10 days of hospitalization and a higher risk of admission to acute or critical hospital care, including in patients aged less than 60 years, with one study showing it to be a greater risk factor than cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions for critical COVID-19 illness. There are some indications that moderate-intensity exercise may be beneficial for promoting a healthy immune system in patients with and without obesity. Given these findings, hospitals should ensure their staff are prepared and their facilities are adequately equipped to provide high-quality care to patients with obesity (PWO) hospitalized with COVID-19. Family medicine and primary care physicians are encouraged to counsel their PWO about their increased risk for morbidity and mortality during this pandemic.
Authors: Safiya Richardson; Jamie S Hirsch; Mangala Narasimhan; James M Crawford; Thomas McGinn; Karina W Davidson; Douglas P Barnaby; Lance B Becker; John D Chelico; Stuart L Cohen; Jennifer Cookingham; Kevin Coppa; Michael A Diefenbach; Andrew J Dominello; Joan Duer-Hefele; Louise Falzon; Jordan Gitlin; Negin Hajizadeh; Tiffany G Harvin; David A Hirschwerk; Eun Ji Kim; Zachary M Kozel; Lyndonna M Marrast; Jazmin N Mogavero; Gabrielle A Osorio; Michael Qiu; Theodoros P Zanos Journal: JAMA Date: 2020-05-26 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Jennifer Lighter; Michael Phillips; Sarah Hochman; Stephanie Sterling; Diane Johnson; Fritz Francois; Anna Stachel Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2020-07-28 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Christopher M Petrilli; Simon A Jones; Jie Yang; Harish Rajagopalan; Luke O'Donnell; Yelena Chernyak; Katie A Tobin; Robert J Cerfolio; Fritz Francois; Leora I Horwitz Journal: BMJ Date: 2020-05-22