Abstract
Introduction: The outbreak of COVID-19 was reported first in China. A COVID-19 infection can lead to severe infection, sustained inflammation, fibrosis, increased intensive care unit admissions, and mortality rates.
Objectives: This study evaluates the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and disease severity in COVID-19 patients admitted from April to September 2020 at Imam Khomeini Hospital Center.
Patients and Methods: Our study included a cross-sectional analysis of patients. We included 120 hospitalized adults (aged over 18 years) from April to September 2020. COVID-19 patients were defined as those with moderate to severe common symptoms (fever or chills, fatigue, and cough) as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The BMI measurement was conducted based on the first BMI value listed following admission.
Results: In patients without underlying disease (51 patients), BMI significantly correlates with lymphocyte count and patients taking remdesivir. In patients with underlying disease (69 patients), BMI significantly correlates with age, temperature, hemoptysis, intensive care unit admission, and taking remdesivir. In all patients (120 patients), BMI significantly correlates with age, intensive care unit admission, and taking remdesivir. Additionally, the correlation of hemoptysis with BMI is greater than dry cough and productive cough.
Conclusion: This study highlights the higher risk of intensive care unit admission and taking remdesivir due to severe COVID-19 in obese patients. Clinical practitioners should pay more attention to obese patients and treat them more aggressively and promptly. Therefore, lifestyle modification seems to be effective. Further studies are required to illustrate better whether obesity is a significant independent risk factor for COVID-19.