Obesity as an independent risk factor for Covid-19 pneumonia severity and mortality

Abstract

Background- Patients with Covid 19 may have symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia. Obesity is a significant independent risk factor for the severity of covid 19 pneumonia. Objective: The aim of this research is to see whether obesity is an independent risk factor for covid 19 pneumonia severity and mortality. Methodology- A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Gandhi Medical College Bhopal, a tertiary care centre, between May and July 2020.Obese patients with a BMI greater than 24.9 kg/m2 were included in the study among all hospitalizations during this time period. Results- There are 68 patients in total, with 43 men and 25 women. The median age is 56 years. Mild disease was found in 48% of female patients, and severe disease was found in 62.79% of male patients (p value significant 0.001). Obesity was a significant risk factor for death in patients with COVID-19, especially in the most serious cases according to the study's results. Total mortality was 39.28%, with a longer ICU stay as well. Conclusion- Obesity, according to our findings, is a significant independant risk factor for disease severity and mortality. Patients who are more obese have a higher severity, mortality, and length of stay. Obese patients should be closely monitored for serious diseases and prioritised by nurses and intensivists.