Relationship between obesity and severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from the CORONADO study

Independent Risk Factors and Mortality Implications of De Novo Central Nervous System Involvement in Patients Hospitalized with Severe COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a complication of COVID-19, adding to disease burden. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors independently associated with CNS involvement in a cohort of patients hospitalized with severe forms of COVID-19 and the risk factors associated with all causes of in-hospital mortality and assess the impact of CNS involvement on in-hospital mortality of the severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study including adult patients with severe or critical forms of COVID-19 with and without new-onset CNS manifestations between March 2020 and December 2022. Results: We included 162 patients, 50 of which presented with CNS involvement. Independent risk factors for CNS involvement were female sex (p = 0.04, OR 3.67, 95%CI 1.05-12.85), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.008, OR 5.08, 95%CI 1.519-17.04)), lymphocyte count (0.04, OR 0.23, 95%CI 0.05-0.97), platelets count (p = 0.001, OR 0.98, 95%CI 0.98-0.99) CRP value (p = 0.04, OR 1.007, 95%CI 1.000-1.015), and CK value (p = 0.004, OR 1.003, 95%CI 1.001-1.005). Obesity was a protective factor (p < 0.001, OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.016-0.20). New-onset CNS manifestations (p = 0.002, OR 14.48, 95%CI 2.58-81.23) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. In-hospital mortality was higher in the new-onset CNS involvement group compared to patients without neurological involvement, 44% versus 7.1% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: CNS involvement in severe COVID-19 patients contributes to all causes of in-hospital mortality. There are several risk factors associated with new-onset CNS manifestations and preventing and controlling them could have an important impact on patients' outcome.

Mortality risk in patients with obesity and COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Obesity is a risk factor for severe respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 infection. Meta-analyses on mortality risk were inconsistent. We systematically searched 3 databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL) and assessed the quality of studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa tool (CRD42020220140). We included 199 studies from US and Europe, with a mean age of participants 41.8-78.2 years, and a variable prevalence of metabolic co-morbidities of 20-80 %. Exceptionally, one third of the studies had a low prevalence of obesity of <20 %. Compared to patients with normal weight, those with obesity had a 34 % relative increase in the odds of mortality (p-value 0.002), with a dose-dependent relationship. Subgroup analyses showed an interaction with the country income. There was a high heterogeneity in the results, explained by clinical and methodologic variability across studies. We identified one trial only comparing mortality rate in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated patients with obesity; there was a trend for a lower mortality in the former group. Mortality risk in COVID-19 infection increases in parallel to an increase in BMI. BMI should be included in the predictive models and stratification scores used when considering mortality as an outcome in patients with COVID-19 infections. Furthermore, patients with obesity might need to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination.

Susceptibility to recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein entry in the lungs of high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of COVID-19. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an essential receptor for cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. The receptor-binding domain of the S1 subunit (S1-RBD protein) in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein binds to ACE2 on host cells, through which the virus enters several organs, including the lungs. Considering these findings, recombinant ACE2 might be utilized as a decoy protein to attenuate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we examined whether obesity increases ACE2 expression in the lungs and whether recombinant ACE2 administration diminishes the entry of S1-RBD protein into lung cells. We observed that high-fat diet-induced obesity promoted ACE2 expression in the lungs by increasing serum levels of LPS derived from the intestine. S1-RBD protein entered the lungs specifically through ACE2 expressed in host lungs and that the administration of recombinant ACE2 attenuated this entry. We conclude that obesity makes hosts susceptible to recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins due to elevated ACE2 expression in lungs, and this model of administering S1-RBD protein can be applied to new COVID-19 treatments.

[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease mortality trends in Mexico, 2000-2022]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality trends in Mexico.

METHODS

An ecological study was conducted where deaths from CVD reported in Mexico under the ICD-10 classification with codes I10 to I99 for the period 2000-2022 were analyzed. Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated at the national and state levels, then the annual percentage variation was estimated using joinpoint analysis to know the changes in the mortality trend in the period studied.

RESULTS

There was an increase of 27.96 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants from 2000 to 2022 in Mexico. The joinpoint analysis shows in the period 2019-2021 an annual percentage change at the national level of 17,398 and subsequently a negative trend is presented between the years 2021-2022. The states of Guanajuato, Tlaxcala and Querétaro showed the largest increases in CVD mortality trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The trend in CVD mortality in Mexico increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are serious public health concerns globally and a growing burden in Africa. Both conditions have serious repercussions on health when they co-occur, yet the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa remains unknown. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa.

METHOD

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, African Index Medicus (AIM), and African Journals Online (AJOL) for observational studies that reported the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity among type 2 diabetes patients in Africa. The prevalence data from individual studies were aggregated through a random-effects meta-analysis. The I2 statistic was used to evaluate between-studies heterogeneity, while subgroup analysis and mixed-effects meta-regression were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. We assessed publication bias using funnel plots and Egger's test. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 1753 records retrieved, 80 articles were eligible for this review, with 74 cross-sectional studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity was 35.6% and 25.6% respectively, while the overall prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 61.4%. Also, the pooled prevalence of both overweight and obesity across the five geographical areas in Africa ranged from 56.9% in East Africa to 88.5% in Southern Africa. Nineteen factors were significantly associated with overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes is a significant public health concern that transcends geographical boundaries within Africa. The findings from this review highlight the need for innovative weight management interventions that are tailored to the cultural context of the African setting.KEY MESSAGESThere was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the type 2 diabetes patients.Nineteen factors were identified to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity among type 2 diabetes patients.Only 12 out of the 80 included studies primarily focused on the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity which reflects a dearth of interest in this topic.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a vulnerable COVID-19 cohort: a real-life experience in an Italian Hospital

Clinical trials demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines reduce COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity. We describe the effect of vaccination on COVID-19-patients admitted at our hospital. Retrospective, single-center study conducted in Genoa, Italy, including patients ≥18years hospitalized for COVID-19 from May to December 2021. Demographical and clinical data were collected, vaccinated (group-A) and not-vaccinated (group-B) patients were compared. Impact of vaccination on mortality, ICU admission, and oxygen need was studied using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models after adjusting for propensity scores. Overall, 395 patients SARS-CoV-2 infected were included, of which 150 (38%) were vaccinated and 245 (62%) were not vaccinated. Patients in group-A were older, more disable, and with higher morbidity. Overall, 64 patients (16%) died within 30 days from admission, 34 in Group A (23%), and 30 in group B (12%). However, no statistically significant differences were observed (group-A versus group-B: HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.49-1.40, p = 0.483). On the other hand, vaccination was protective in terms of ICU admission (OR = 0.23, p = 0.046) and oxygen need (OR = 0.33, p = 0.008). Our study confirms that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination reduces morbidity among patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The still high mortality in our cohort of vaccinated individuals could be partially due to vulnerable conditions of our patients.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity and their effect on COVID-19 severity and hospitalization among younger than 50 years versus older than 50 years population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cohort studies have shown that both overweight and obesity have their impact by increasing hospitalization with COVID-19. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedRxiv databases following the PRISMA guidelines. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA software version 16 MP (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA) and Med Calc software version 22.009(Med Calc software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium). The primary outcome was to measure the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their impact on the risk of hospitalization among COVID-19 patients under and above 50 years of age. In total, 184 studies involving 2,365,377 patients were included. The prevalence of overweight was highest among those younger than 50 years of age over those older than 50 years of age, (26.33% vs. 30.46%), but there was no difference in obesity (36.30% vs. 36.02%). Overall, the pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity among hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 31.0% and 36.26%, respectively. Compared with normal weight, the odds of hospitalization with overweight (odds ratio [OR] 2.186, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.19, 3.99], p < 0.01) and obesity (OR 3.069, 95% CI [1.67, 5.61], p < 0.001) in those younger than 50 years and obesity (OR 3.977, 95% CI [2.75, 5.73], p < 0.001) in the older than 50 years age group were significantly high. The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among the under 50 years age group and obesity among the older than 50 years age group significantly increased the rate of COVID-19 infections, severity and hospitalization.

Direct impact of 2 years of COVID-19 on chronic disease patients: a population-based study in a large hard-hit Italian region

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to provide a region-wide comprehensive account of the direct effects of COVID-19 on chronic disease patients, in terms of disease incidence, severity and mortality, over a 2-year pandemic period (2020-2021).

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients, affected by at least 1 of 32 prevalent chronic conditions, residing in the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy, during the years 2020 (N=1 791 189, 47.7% of the overall adult regional population) and 2021 (N=1 801 071, 47.8%).

RESULTS

COVID-19 incidence among chronic disease patients was 4.1% (74 067 cases) in 2020 and 7.3% (126 556 cases) in 2021, varying across pathologies, with obesity and dementia showing the highest incidence. Hospitalisation rate for pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 15.4%. COVID-19-related excess mortality, that is, deaths from COVID-19 as either main or contributing (1.5% of the total) cause of death, was observed during the three pandemic waves, with observed/expected death ratios ranging from +38% (March 2020) to +11% (December 2021). Increased risks of both COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death were associated with male gender, elderly age and many pre-existing pathologies, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and metabolic dysfunctions. The higher the number of concomitant pathologies, the greater the risk of COVID-19-related adverse outcomes: the likelihood of hospitalisation and death more than doubled for people with more than two comorbidities, compared with those with one underlying condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a thorough and up-to-date quantification of the direct impact of COVID-19 on chronic disease patients. The results obtained are particularly relevant considering that people with pre-existing chronic conditions accounted for almost all cases of COVID-19-related hospitalisation (82.6%) and death (91.5%) in a vast region of Italy, among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

A spatial sequencing atlas of age-induced changes in the lung during influenza infection

Influenza virus infection causes increased morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Aging impairs the immune response to influenza, both intrinsically and because of altered interactions with endothelial and pulmonary epithelial cells. To characterize these changes, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) on lung tissue from young and aged female mice at days 0, 3, and 9 post-influenza infection. Our analyses identified dozens of key genes differentially expressed in kinetic, age-dependent, and cell type-specific manners. Aged immune cells exhibited altered inflammatory, memory, and chemotactic profiles. Aged endothelial cells demonstrated characteristics of reduced vascular wound healing and a prothrombotic state. Spatial transcriptomics identified novel profibrotic and antifibrotic markers expressed by epithelial and non-epithelial cells, highlighting the complex networks that promote fibrosis in aged lungs. Bulk RNA-seq generated a timeline of global transcriptional activity, showing increased expression of genes involved in inflammation and coagulation in aged lungs. Our work provides an atlas of high-throughput sequencing methodologies that can be used to investigate age-related changes in the response to influenza virus, identify novel cell-cell interactions for further study, and ultimately uncover potential therapeutic targets to improve health outcomes in the elderly following influenza infection.

Risk phenotypes of diabetes and association with COVID-19 severity and death: an update of a living systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

To provide a systematic overview of the current body of evidence on high-risk phenotypes of diabetes associated with COVID-19 severity and death.

METHODS

This is the first update of our recently published living systematic review and meta-analysis. Observational studies investigating phenotypes in individuals with diabetes and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with regard to COVID-19-related death and severity were included. The literature search was conducted from inception up to 14 February 2022 in PubMed, Epistemonikos, Web of Science and the COVID-19 Research Database and updated using PubMed alert to 1 December 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% CIs. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool and the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

A total of 169 articles (147 new studies) based on approximately 900,000 individuals were included. We conducted 177 meta-analyses (83 on COVID-19-related death and 94 on COVID-19 severity). Certainty of evidence was strengthened for associations between male sex, older age, blood glucose level at admission, chronic insulin use, chronic metformin use (inversely) and pre-existing comorbidities (CVD, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and COVID-19-related death. New evidence with moderate to high certainty emerged for the association between obesity (SRR [95% CI] 1.18 [1.04, 1.34], n=21 studies), HbA1c (53-75 mmol/mol [7-9%]: 1.18 [1.06, 1.32], n=8), chronic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use (0.83 [0.71, 0.97], n=9), pre-existing heart failure (1.33 [1.21, 1.47], n=14), pre-existing liver disease (1.40 [1.17, 1.67], n=6), the Charlson index (per 1 unit increase: 1.33 [1.13, 1.57], n=2), high levels of C-reactive protein (per 5 mg/l increase: 1.07 [1.02, 1.12], n=10), aspartate aminotransferase level (per 5 U/l increase: 1.28 [1.06, 1.54], n=5), eGFR (per 10 ml/min per 1.73 m2 increase: 0.80 [0.71, 0.90], n=6), lactate dehydrogenase level (per 10 U/l increase: 1.03 [1.01, 1.04], n=7) and lymphocyte count (per 1×109/l increase: 0.59 [0.40, 0.86], n=6) and COVID-19-related death. Similar associations were observed between risk phenotypes of diabetes and severity of COVID-19, with some new evidence on existing COVID-19  vaccination status (0.32 [0.26, 0.38], n=3), pre-existing hypertension (1.23 [1.14, 1.33], n=49), neuropathy and cancer, and high IL-6 levels. A limitation of this study is that the included studies are observational in nature and residual or unmeasured confounding cannot be ruled out.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Individuals with a more severe course of diabetes and pre-existing comorbidities had a poorer prognosis of COVID-19 than individuals with a milder course of the disease.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020193692.

PREVIOUS VERSION

This is a living systematic review and meta-analysis. The previous version can be found at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-021-05458-8 FUNDING: The German Diabetes Center (DDZ) is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State North Rhine-Westphalia. This study was supported in part by a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD).

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

BACKGROUND

Since December 2019, the world has struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the introduction of various vaccines, this disease still takes a considerable toll. In order to improve the optimal allocation of resources and communication of prognosis, healthcare providers and patients need an accurate understanding of factors (such as obesity) that are associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes from the COVID-19 infection.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate obesity as an independent prognostic factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality among adult patients in whom infection with the COVID-19 virus is confirmed.

SEARCH METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, two COVID-19 reference collections, and four Chinese biomedical databases were searched up to April 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included case-control, case-series, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and secondary analyses of randomised controlled trials if they evaluated associations between obesity and COVID-19 adverse outcomes including mortality, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospitalisation, severe COVID, and COVID pneumonia. Given our interest in ascertaining the independent association between obesity and these outcomes, we selected studies that adjusted for at least one factor other than obesity. Studies were evaluated for inclusion by two independent reviewers working in duplicate.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Using standardised data extraction forms, we extracted relevant information from the included studies. When appropriate, we pooled the estimates of association across studies with the use of random-effects meta-analyses. The Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool provided the platform for assessing the risk of bias across each included study. In our main comparison, we conducted meta-analyses for each obesity class separately. We also meta-analysed unclassified obesity and obesity as a continuous variable (5 kg/m2 increase in BMI (body mass index)). We used the GRADE framework to rate our certainty in the importance of the association observed between obesity and each outcome. As obesity is closely associated with other comorbidities, we decided to prespecify the minimum adjustment set of variables including age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease for subgroup analysis.  MAIN RESULTS: We identified 171 studies, 149 of which were included in meta-analyses.  As compared to 'normal' BMI (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) or patients without obesity, those with obesity classes I (BMI 30 to 35 kg/m2), and II (BMI 35 to 40 kg/m2) were not at increased odds for mortality (Class I: odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 to 1.16, high certainty (15 studies, 335,209 participants); Class II: OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.36, high certainty (11 studies, 317,925 participants)). However, those with class III obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 and above) may be at increased odds for mortality (Class III: OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.00, low certainty, (19 studies, 354,967 participants)) compared to normal BMI or patients without obesity. For mechanical ventilation, we observed increasing odds with higher classes of obesity in comparison to normal BMI or patients without obesity (class I: OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.59, 10 studies, 187,895 participants, moderate certainty; class II: OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.96, 6 studies, 171,149 participants, high certainty; class III: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.97, 12 studies, 174,520 participants, high certainty). However, we did not observe a dose-response relationship across increasing obesity classifications for ICU admission and hospitalisation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that obesity is an important independent prognostic factor in the setting of COVID-19. Consideration of obesity may inform the optimal management and allocation of limited resources in the care of COVID-19 patients.

Glycemic control predicts SARS-CoV-2 prognosis in diabetic subjects

AIM

The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 incidence was higher in diabetes mellitus (DM), although several differences should be considered on the basis of characteristics of cohorts evaluated. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and potential consequences of COVID-19 in a large diabetic population in Northern Italy.

DESIGN

Observational, longitudinal, retrospective, clinical study.

METHODS

Subjects with both type 1 and type 2 DM living in the Province of Modena and submitted to at least one SARS-CoV-2 swab between March 2020 and March 2021 were included. Data were extracted from the Hospital data warehouse.

RESULTS

9553 diabetic subjects were enrolled (age 68.8 ± 14.1 years, diabetes duration 11.0 ± 6.9 years, glycated hemoglobin 57.2 ± 16.2 mmol/mol). COVID-19 was detected in 2302 patients (24.1%) with a death rate of 8.9%. The mean age and diabetes duration were significantly lower in infected versus non-infected patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection was more frequent in youngest people, according to quartile of age and retirement pension age of 65 years. No differences were detected considering sex. Higher HbA1c was detected in infected compared to non-infected patient. Death was predicted by diabetes duration and HbA1c. ROC analyses for death risk showed significant threshold for diabetes duration (10.9 years) and age (74.4 years).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, SARS-CoV-2 infection correlates with age, diabetes duration and disease control. Diabetic patients with COVID-19 should be carefully followed when older than 74 years and with more than 10 years of DM duration.

Association between RAAS Antagonism and COVID-19-related Mortality in Patients with Overweight/Obesity-related Hypertension: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) increase the expression of ACE2, which is a receptor for entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells. Though evidence suggests that ARB/ACEI are safe among the general population with COVID-19, their safety in patients with overweight/obesity-related hypertension deserves further evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the association between ARB/ACEI use and COVID-19 severity in patients with overweight/obesity-related hypertension.

METHODS

This study included 439 adult patients with overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) and hypertension, diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic from March 1 to December 7, 2020. Mortality and severity of COVID-19 were evaluated based on length of stay in hospital, intensive care unit admission, use of supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations of ARB/ACEI use with mortality and other markers of COVID-19 severity, with a two-sided alpha set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Exposure to ARB (n = 91) and ACEI (n = 149) before hospitalization was significantly associated with lower mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.362, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.149 to 0.880, p = 0.025) and a shorter length of stay (95% CI -0.217 to -0.025, p = 0.015). Additionally, patients using ARB/ACEI showed a non-significant trend toward lower intensive care unit admission (OR = 0.727, 95% CI 0.485 to 1.090, p = 0.123), use of supplemental oxygen (OR = 0.929, 95% CI 0.608 to 1.421, p = 0.734), mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.728, 95% CI 0.457 to 1.161, p = 0.182), and vasopressors (OR = 0.677, 95% CI 0.430 to 1.067, p = 0.093).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and overweight/obesity-related hypertension who were prescribed ARB/ACEI before admission to the hospital exhibit lower mortality and less severe COVID-19 than those who were not taking ARB/ACEI. The results also suggest that exposure to ARB/ACEI may protect patients with overweight/obesity-related hypertension from severe COVID-19 and death.

The Impact of Comorbidities and Obesity on the Severity and Outcome of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients-A Retrospective Study in a Hungarian Hospital

Patients with comorbidities and obesity are more likely to be hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to have a higher incidence of severe pneumonia and to also show higher mortality rates. Between 15 March 2020 and 31 December 2021, a retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted among patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. Our aim was to investigate the impact of comorbidities and lifestyle risk factors on mortality, the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the severity of the disease among these patients. Our results demonstrated that comorbidities and obesity increased the risk for all investigated endpoints. Age over 65 years and male sex were identified as independent risk factors, and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, endocrine and metabolic diseases, chronic kidney disease and obesity were identified as significant risk factors. Obesity was found to be the most significant risk factor, associated with considerable odds of COVID-19 mortality and the need for ICU admission in the under-65 age group (aOR: 2.95; p < 0.001 and aOR: 3.49, p < 0.001). In our study, risk factors that increased mortality and morbidity among hospitalized patients were identified. Detailed information on such factors may support therapeutic decision making, the proper targeting of vaccination campaigns and the effective overall management of the COVID-19 epidemic, hence reducing the burden on the healthcare system.

Associations of body mass index with severe outcomes of COVID-19 among critically ill elderly patients: A prospective study

Background and Aim

Few studies assessed the associations of overweight and obesity with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among elderly patients. This study was conducted to assess overweight and obesity in relation to risk of mortality, delirium, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement during treatment, re-hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, and ICU admission among elderly patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective study that was done on 310 elderly patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). We collected data on demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, nutritional status, blood pressure, comorbidities, medications, and types of mechanical ventilation at baseline. Patients were followed up during ICU admission and until 45 days after the first visit, and data on delirium incidence, mortality, need for a form of mechanical ventilation, discharge day from ICU and hospital, and re-hospitalization were recorded for each patient.

Results

During the follow-up period, we recorded 190 deaths, 217 cases of delirium, and 35 patients who required IMV during treatment. After controlling for potential confounders, a significant association was found between obesity and delirium such that obese patients with COVID-19 had a 62% higher risk of delirium compared with normal-weight patients (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.57). This association was not observed for overweight. In terms of other outcomes including ICU/45-day mortality, IMV therapy during treatment, re-hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, and ICU admission, we found no significant association with overweight and obesity either before or after controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion

We found that obesity may be a risk factor for delirium among critically ill elderly patients with COVID-19.

Prognostic factors for mortality, intensive care unit and hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies in Europe

BACKGROUND

As mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is strongly age-dependent, we aimed to identify population subgroups at an elevated risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19 using age-/gender-adjusted data from European cohort studies with the aim to identify populations that could potentially benefit from booster vaccinations.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of underlying medical conditions as prognostic factors for adverse outcomes due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including death, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation within three separate settings (community, hospital and ICU). Cohort studies that reported at least age and gender-adjusted data from Europe were identified through a search of peer-reviewed articles published until 11 June 2021 in Ovid Medline and Embase. Results are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and absolute risk differences in deaths per 1000 COVID-19 patients.

FINDINGS

We included 88 cohort studies with age-/gender-adjusted data from 6 653 207 SARS-CoV-2 patients from Europe. Hospital-based mortality was associated with high and moderate certainty evidence for solid organ tumours, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, liver disease and obesity, while a higher risk, albeit with low certainty, was noted for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Community-based mortality was associated with a history of heart failure, stroke, diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Evidence of high/moderate certainty revealed a strong association between hospitalisation for COVID-19 and solid organ transplant recipients, sleep apnoea, diabetes, stroke and liver disease.

INTERPRETATION

The results confirmed the strong association between specific prognostic factors and mortality and hospital admission. Prioritisation of booster vaccinations and the implementation of nonpharmaceutical protective measures for these populations may contribute to a reduction in COVID-19 mortality, ICU and hospital admissions.

Body Mass Index and Risk for COVID-19-Related Hospitalization in Adults Aged 50 and Older in Europe

Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate associations among BMI, underlying health conditions and hospital admission as well as the effects of COVID-19 vaccines in adults aged 50 years and older in Europe using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) which was collected from June to August 2021, shortly after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in Europe. Survey data totalling 1936 individuals were used for statistical analyses to calculate the likelihood of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection in relation to BMI, sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and COVID vaccination status. Approximately 16% of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized for COVID-19, and over 75% of these hospitalized individuals were either overweight or obese. The likelihood of hospitalization for individuals with obesity was approximately 1.5 times (CI [1.05–2.05]) higher than those with a healthy weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) after adjusting for BMI, sex and age. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, vaccination and comorbidities, the likelihood of hospitalization for individuals with obesity was 1.34 times higher than those with a healthy weight (CI [0.94–1.90]). Vaccine uptake was lowest in individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) in all age groups. Individuals who had not received a vaccine were 1.8 times more likely to be hospitalized (CI [1.34–2.30]). Across European regions, obesity is associated with higher odds of hospitalization, and vaccination may be effective to reduce these odds for older adults.

At home and at risk: The experiences of Irish adults living with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

People living with obesity are at elevated risk of hospitalisation, serious illness and mortality due to COVID-19. Little is known about their experience of living with obesity during the pandemic and its associated stay-at-home orders. This study sought to understand the experiences of people living with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A stratified sample of Irish adults (n = 15) living with obesity engaged in open, phenomenological, interviews and a participatory photovoice methodology to capture both verbal and visual accounts of their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews, conducted throughout 2021, were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

FINDINGS

Two overarching themes were identified. A) The pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders had a positive impact on the health and well-being of some participants; a negative impact on others; and this impact changed over time as the pandemic progressed. B) People living with obesity reported feeling stigmatised and 'othered' by their 'at risk' categorisation. Public health messaging and public discourse relating to obesity resulted in some people feeling segregated and punished by society.

INTERPRETATION

Changes in lifestyle initiated by the pandemic's stay-at-home orders had a varied impact on the health behaviours and outcomes of people with obesity. This variance offers helpful insight into the psychosocial aspects of obesity. Furthermore, the 'othering' effect of public health messaging during the pandemic warrants caution in light of the already stigmatised nature of this disease.

FUNDING

This study is part of the SOPHIA project which received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 875534.

Impact of diabetes on COVID-19 prognosis beyond comorbidity burden: the CORONADO initiative

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Diabetes has been recognised as a pejorative prognostic factor in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since diabetes is typically a disease of advanced age, it remains unclear whether diabetes remains a COVID-19 risk factor beyond advanced age and associated comorbidities. We designed a cohort study that considered age and comorbidities to address this question.

METHODS

The Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Diabetes Outcomes (CORONADO) initiative is a French, multicentric, cohort study of individuals with (exposed) and without diabetes (non-exposed) admitted to hospital with COVID-19, with a 1:1 matching on sex, age (±5 years), centre and admission date (10 March 2020 to 10 April 2020). Comorbidity burden was assessed by calculating the updated Charlson comorbidity index (uCCi). A predefined composite primary endpoint combining death and/or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), as well as these two components separately, was assessed within 7 and 28 days following hospital admission. We performed multivariable analyses to compare clinical outcomes between patients with and without diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 2210 pairs of participants (diabetes/no-diabetes) were matched on age (mean±SD 69.4±13.2/69.5±13.2 years) and sex (36.3% women). The uCCi was higher in individuals with diabetes. In unadjusted analysis, the primary composite endpoint occurred more frequently in the diabetes group by day 7 (29.0% vs 21.6% in the no-diabetes group; HR 1.43 [95% CI 1.19, 1.72], p<0.001). After multiple adjustments for age, BMI, uCCi, clinical (time between onset of COVID-19 symptoms and dyspnoea) and biological variables (eGFR, aspartate aminotransferase, white cell count, platelet count, C-reactive protein) on admission to hospital, diabetes remained associated with a higher risk of primary composite endpoint within 7 days (adjusted HR 1.42 [95% CI 1.17, 1.72], p<0.001) and 28 days (adjusted HR 1.30 [95% CI 1.09, 1.55], p=0.003), compared with individuals without diabetes. Using the same adjustment model, diabetes was associated with the risk of IMV, but not with risk of death, within 28 days of admission to hospital.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our results demonstrate that diabetes status was associated with a deleterious COVID-19 prognosis irrespective of age and comorbidity status.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04324736.

Automatized lung disease quantification in patients with COVID-19 as a predictive tool to assess hospitalization severity

The pandemic of COVID-19 led to a dramatic situation in hospitals, where staff had to deal with a huge number of patients in respiratory distress. To alleviate the workload of radiologists, we implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) - based analysis named CACOVID-CT, to automatically assess disease severity on chest CT scans obtained from those patients. We retrospectively studied CT scans obtained from 476 patients admitted at the University Hospital of Liege with a COVID-19 disease. We quantified the percentage of COVID-19 affected lung area (% AA) and the CT severity score (total CT-SS). These quantitative measurements were used to investigate the overall prognosis and patient outcome: hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU admission, ICU LOS, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death. Both CT-SS and % AA were highly correlated with the hospital LOS, the risk of ICU admission, the risk of mechanical ventilation and the risk of in-hospital death. Thus, CAD4COVID-CT analysis proved to be a useful tool in detecting patients with higher hospitalization severity risk. It will help for management of the patients flow. The software measured the extent of lung damage with great efficiency, thus relieving the workload of radiologists.

COVID-19 in cancer patients with diabetes in Pakistan: Clinical features and management

Background

Diabetes and cancer are the leading causes of mortality all over the world. Infectious diseases are more common and/or life-threatening in patients with diabetes. Cancer patients with diabetes are individuals that are more susceptible to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the clinical features of survivor and non-survivor COVID-19-infected cancer patients with diabetes.

Patients and Methods

We did a retrospective study of 43 diabetic cancer patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan between March 03, 2020, and May 18, 2021. These patients either were discharged from the hospital or had died by Jun 16, 2021. Clinicopathological and radiological features were compared between survivors and non-survivors by fisher’s exact test and chi-square test.

Results

Forty-three diabetic cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled and the majority were males 26 (60.5%). The overall mean age was 61.67 ± 11.80. 39 (90.7%) had solid tumors and 3 (7.0%) had hematological malignancies. Fever (74.4%) and dyspnea (58.1%) were the most common symptoms. Complications were reported in 36 (83.7%) patients; during the course of the disease. Additionally, all the deceased patients (n=15) had acquired the complications. 11 (25.6%) patients were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Furthermore, 29 (67.4%) out of 43 patients showed abnormal features in the radiological findings. We found significantly elevated levels of C-reactive protein (P=0.005), serum lactate (P=0.01), albumin (P=0.02), alkaline phosphate (P=0.03), and neutrophil count (P=0.04) in the non-survivors as compared to the survivors.

Conclusion

Cancer patients with diabetes are a vulnerable population in the current pandemic. Identifying how diabetes in cancer patients affects the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the clinical management of these patients. Rigorous scrutiny of clinicopathological features of COVID-19 infected cancer patients with diabetes especially values of C-reactive protein, lactate, albumin, alkaline phosphate, neutrophils, and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels may play a critical role in the outcome of the disease.

Effectiveness of third vaccine dose for coronavirus disease 2019 during the Omicron variant pandemic: a prospective observational study in Japan

The administration of a third booster dose of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has progressed worldwide. Since January 2022, Japan has faced a nationwide outbreak caused by the Omicron variant, which occurred simultaneously with the progression of mass vaccination with the third booster dose. Therefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the third dose of vaccine by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test using nasopharyngeal swab samples from adults aged ≥ 18 years tested after having close contact with COVID-19 cases between January and May 2022. Participants who completed only one dose were excluded from the study. Among the 928 enrolled participants, 139 had never been vaccinated, 609 had completed two doses, 180 had completed three doses before the swab test, and the overall RT-PCR test positivity rate in each group was 48.9%, 46.0%, and 32.2%, respectively. The vaccine effectiveness of the third dose to prevent infection after close contact was approximately 40% (95% confidence interval: 20–60%), which was the highest at 10–70 days after receiving the third dose. In conclusion, the effectiveness of the three-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after close contact during the Omicron outbreak is approximately 40%.

Obesity and Infection: What Have We Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective

The critical role played by the nutritional status in the complications, duration of hospitalization and mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) has emerged from several research studies in diverse populations. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of serious complications, as the adipose tissue appears to have significant effects on the immune response. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and obesity.

Methods

We performed a review of papers in the English language derived from PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The primary outcomes investigated were the severity of the disease, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for intubation, and mortality.

Results and Conclusion

Review of 44 eligible studies from 18 countries around the world revealed evidence that obesity increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications, ICU admission, intubation and mortality. Patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) appear to be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with more severe illness requiring admission to ICU and intubation, and to have higher mortality. A healthy body weight should be targeted as a long-term prevention measure against acute complications of infection, and in the event of COVID-19, overweight and obese patients should be monitored closely.

The Protective Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination on Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19: A Multicenter Study From a Large National Health Research Network

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been proven to decrease the severity of acute-phase infection; however, little is known about their effect on postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

Methods

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and minimum age of 18 years with 3-month follow-up postdiagnosis between 21 September 2020 and 14 December 2021 were identified from the TriNetX Research Network platform. The primary outcomes consisted of new-onset or persistent symptoms, new-onset diagnoses, and death and were compared between vaccine and no-vaccine groups.

Results

At baseline, 1 578 719 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were identified and 1.6% (n = 25 225) completed vaccination. After matching, there were no differences (P > .05) in demographics or preexisting comorbidities. At 28 days following COVID-19 diagnosis, the incidence of hypertension was 13.52 per 1000, diabetes was 5.98 per 1000, thyroid disease was 3.80 per 1000, heart disease was 15.41 per 1000, and mental disorders was 14.77 per 1000 in the vaccine cohort. At 90 days following COVID-19 diagnosis, the relative risk of hypertension was 0.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], .26-.42), diabetes was 0.28 (95% CI, .20-.38), heart disease was 0.35 (95% CI, .29-.44), and death was 0.21 (95% CI, .16-.27). Differences in both 28- and 90-day risk between the vaccine and no-vaccine cohorts were observed for each outcome, and there was enough evidence (P < .05) to suggest that these differences were attributed to the vaccine.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that COVID-19 vaccine is protective against PASC symptoms, new onset of health conditions, and mortality.

Association of obesity with 3-month mortality in kidney failure patients with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

In the general population with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), obesity is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Given the typically observed obesity paradox among patients on kidney function replacement therapy (KFRT), especially dialysis patients, we examined the association of obesity with mortality among dialysis patients or living with a kidney transplant with COVID-19.

METHODS

Data from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA) were used. KFRT patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 1 February 2020 and 31 January 2021 were included. The association of Quetelet's body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), divided into: <18.5 (lean), 18.5-24.9 (normal weight), 25-29.9 (overweight), 30-34.9 (obese I) and ≥35 (obese II/III), with 3-month mortality was investigated using Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses.

RESULTS

In 3160 patients on KFRT (mean age: 65 years, male: 61%), 99 patients were lean, 1151 normal weight (reference), 1160 overweight, 525 obese I and 225 obese II/III. During follow-up of 3 months, 28, 20, 21, 23 and 27% of patients died in these categories, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, the hazard ratios (HRs) for 3-month mortality were 1.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 2.47], 1 (ref.), 1.07 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.28), 1.17 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.46) and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.30), respectively. Results were similar among dialysis patients (N = 2343) and among those living with a kidney transplant (N = 817) (Pinteraction = 0.99), but differed by sex (Pinteraction = 0.019). In males, the HRs for the association of aforementioned BMI categories with 3-month mortality were 2.07 (95% CI: 1.22, 3.52), 1 (ref.), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.78. 1.21), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.33) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.91), respectively, and in females corresponding HRs were 1.34 (95% CI: 0.70, 2.57), 1 (ref.), 1.31 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.85), 1.54 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.26) and 2.49 (95% CI: 1.62, 3.84), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In KFRT patients with COVID-19, on dialysis or a kidney transplant, obesity is associated with an increased risk of mortality at 3 months. This is in contrast to the obesity paradox generally observed in dialysis patients. Additional studies are required to corroborate the sex difference in the association of obesity with mortality.

COVID-19 Is Associated With a 4 Fold Increase in 30-day Mortality Risk in Hip Fracture Patients in the United Kingdom: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Hip fracture in elderly patients is associated with a significant mortality which may be worsened by COVID-19 infection.

Objective

To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the effect of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in hip fracture patients in the United Kingdom (UK) during the first surge of the pandemic.

Design

A systematic literature search of 9 online databases was undertaken independently by 2 reviewers using the Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews. Eligibility criteria were any study of an adult population with a hip fracture that assessed the relationship between COVID-19 infection and 30-day mortality in the UK. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model.

Results

Out of 309 identified articles, 10 studies reporting on 2448 hip fracture patients met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that the estimated mortality rate in patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection was 32.5% (95% CI= 28.3 to 37.0) compared to 8.6% (95% CI= 6.3 to 11.6) in COVID-19 negative patients. Meta-analysis of 9 comparative studies showed a significantly higher mortality in patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection as compared to patients without (RR=3.937, 95% CI= 2.867 to 5.406, P<.001). Similar findings were obtained when comparing mortality in COVID-19 laboratory confirmed or clinically suspected infected vs non-infected patients (RR=4.576, 95% CI = 3.589 to 5.835, P <.001).

Conclusions

COVID-19 infection is associated with a 4-fold increase in mortality risk in hip fracture patients. Every effort should be made to avoid COVID-19 infection and nosocomial exposure in this highly vulnerable patient group.

Heterogeneity and Risk of Bias in Studies Examining Risk Factors for Severe Illness and Death in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the evidence on the impacts of demographics and comorbidities on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19, as well as the sources of the heterogeneity and publication bias of the relevant studies. Two authors independently searched the literature from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and CINAHL on 18 May 2021; removed duplicates; screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts by using criteria; and extracted data from the eligible articles. The variations among the studies were examined by using Cochrane, Q.; I2, and meta-regression. Out of 11,975 articles that were obtained from the databases and screened, 559 studies were abstracted, and then, where appropriate, were analyzed by meta-analysis (n = 542). COVID-19-related severe illness, admission to the ICU, and death were significantly correlated with comorbidities, male sex, and an age older than 60 or 65 years, although high heterogeneity was present in the pooled estimates. The study design, the study country, the sample size, and the year of publication contributed to this. There was publication bias among the studies that compared the odds of COVID-19-related deaths, severe illness, and admission to the ICU on the basis of the comorbidity status. While an older age and chronic diseases were shown to increase the risk of developing severe illness, admission to the ICU, and death among the COVID-19 patients in our analysis, a marked heterogeneity was present when linking the specific risks with the outcomes.

Metformin use is associated with a decrease in the risk of hospitalization and mortality in COVID-19 patients with diabetes: A population-based study in Lombardy

AIM

To compare the association of metformin use and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in a cohort of 31 966 patients with diabetes in Lombardy.

METHODS

We used a COVID-19 linkable administrative regional database to select patients with diabetes who were aged 40 years or older. They had at least two prescriptions of antidiabetic drugs in 2019 and a positive test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 from 15 February 2020 to 15 March 2021. The association of metformin use and clinical outcomes was assessed by multivariable logistic regression analyses and after propensity score matching (PSM). Clinical outcomes were all-cause mortality, in-hospital mortality, hospitalization for COVID-19, and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

RESULTS

In multivariable models, metformin use was associated with a significantly lower risk of total mortality (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.66-0.75), in-hospital mortality (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.63-0.73), hospitalization for COVID-19 (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.81-0.91), and ICU admission (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.69-0.94) compared with metformin non-users. Results were similar after PSM; metformin was associated with a significantly lower risk of total mortality (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.73-0.86), in-hospital mortality (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.67-0.81), and ICU admission (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.63-0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort, metformin use was associated with a protective effect in COVID-19 clinical outcomes, suggesting that it might be a potentially useful drug to prevent severe COVID-19 disease, although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm this. While awaiting the results of RCTs, we suggest continuing prescribing metformin to COVID-19 patients with diabetes.

Association of Patient Characteristics, Diabetes, BMI, and Obesity With Severe COVID-19 in Metropolitan Detroit, MI

Identification of specific risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for prevention of poor outcomes and mortality. This retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 demonstrated that older age, male sex, Black race, diabetes, elevated BMI, and elevated inflammatory markers were correlated with critical illness in COVID-19. Older age, male sex, diabetes, and inflammatory markers, but not elevated BMI, were associated with mortality. Despite having greater odds of critical illness, Black patients had lower odds of death than White patients. Older age, male sex, diabetes, and elevated inflammatory markers were significantly associated with venous thromboembolism. These findings suggest a need to aggressively identify and manage modifiable risk factors (i.e., diabetes and elevated BMI) and encourage vaccination of at-risk individuals to prevent poor outcomes from COVID-19.

Clinical Significance of COVID-19 and Diabetes: In the Pandemic Situation of SARS-CoV-2 Variants including Omicron (B.1.1.529)

Simple Summary

Amidst the dual pandemics of diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the constant emergence of novel variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a vicious cycle has been created, i.e., a hyperglycemic state contributes to the severe clinical course of COVID-19, which in turn has deleterious effects on glycometabolism and in some cases causes new-onset diabetes. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the current literature on the clinical and experimental findings associated with the interrelationship between diabetes and COVID-19. To control disease outcomes and glucometabolic complications in COVID-19, this issue is still being investigated.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains uncontrolled, with the spread of emerging variants. According to accumulating evidence, diabetes is one of the leading risk factors for a severe COVID-19 clinical course, depending on the glycemic state before admission and during COVID-19 hospitalization. Multiple factors are thought to be responsible, including an altered immune response, coexisting comorbidity, and disruption of the renin-angiotensin system through the virus–host interaction. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain under investigation. Alternatively, the focus is currently on the diabetogenic and ketosis-prone potential of SARS-CoV-2 itself, even for probable triggers of stress and steroid-induced hyperglycemia in COVID-19. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the recent literature on the clinical and experimental findings associated with diabetes and COVID-19, and we discuss their bidirectional relationship, i.e., the risk for an adverse prognosis and the deleterious effects on glycometabolism. Accurate assessments of the incidence of new-onset diabetes induced by COVID-19 and its pathogenicity are still unknown, especially in the context of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Omicron (B.1.1.529), which is a major challenge for the future.

History of bariatric surgery and COVID-19 outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from the CORONADO study

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the impact of a history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on the clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and severe obesity hospitalized for COVID-19.

METHODS

In this post hoc analysis from the nationwide observational CORONADO (Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 and Diabetes Outcomes) study, patients with T2D and a history of MBS were matched with patients without MBS for age, sex, and BMI either at the time of MBS or on admission for COVID-19. The composite primary outcome (CPO) combined invasive mechanical ventilation and/or death within 7 and 28 days following admission.

RESULTS

Out of 2,398 CORONADO participants, 20 had a history of MBS. When matching for BMI at the time of MBS and after adjustment for diabetes duration, the CPO occurred less frequently within 7 days (3 vs. 17 events, OR: 0.15 [0.01 to 0.94], p = 0.03) and 28 days (3 vs. 19 events, OR: 0.11 [0.01 to 0.71], p = 0.02) in patients with MBS (n = 16) vs. controls (n = 44). There was no difference in CPO rate between patients with MBS and controls when matching for BMI on admission.

CONCLUSIONS

These data are reassuring regarding COVID-19 prognosis in patients with diabetes and a history of MBS compared with those without MBS.

COVID-19 and Diabetes Outcomes: Rationale for and Updates from the CORONADO Study

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In France, in order to describe the phenotypic characteristics of patients with diabetes hospitalized for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and to identify the prognostic factors in this specific population, the CORONADO (CORONAvirus and Diabetes Outcomes) study was launched. This review will summarize the key findings from the CORONADO study and put them in perspectives with others studies published on the subject.

RECENT FINDINGS

For almost 2 years, the new SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2), which causes COVID-19, has spread all around the world leading to a pandemic. From the first epidemiological reports, diabetes mellitus has rapidly emerged as a major risk factor associated with severe forms of COVID-19 but few data were available about diabetes characteristics in hospitalized people with COVID-19. Between March 10 and April 10, 2020, 2951 patients were included in 68 centers throughout the national territory, including overseas territories. In the CORONADO study, the primary outcome was a composite endpoint combining invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and/or death within day 7 (D7). Secondary outcomes included death, IMV, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and hospital discharge, all considered within D7 and day 28 (D28). The primary outcome occurred in 29.0% participants within D7 following hospital admission. Within D28, the end of the follow-up period, the mortality rate was 20.6%, while 50.2% of patients were discharged. In multivariable analysis, advanced age, microvascular complications, treatment with insulin or statin prior to admission, dyspnea on admission, as well as biological markers reflecting the severity of the infection (high levels of transaminases, leukocytes and CRP, and low platelet levels) were associated with an increased risk of death. Several exploratory analyses were performed to clarify the influence of some parameters such as weight status, sex, type of diabetes, and some routine drugs, including metformin or statins.

Clinical Course and Outcome of Critically Ill Obese Patients with COVID-19 Admitted in Intensive Care Unit of a Single Center: Our Experience and Review

Introduction

Obesity has been considered as one of the independent risk factors for a severe form of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and relationship between obesity, critical illness, and infection is still poorly understood. We herein discuss clinical course and outcome of critically ill obese patients with COVID-19 admitted to critical care unit.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of critically ill obese patients hospitalized with COVID-19 over a span of 6 months. Management was guided according to the institutional protocol. Collected data included demographic parameters (age, sex, comorbidities, and body mass index (BMI)), complications, inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)-6, Ferritin), length of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and inhospital death.

Results

There was no appreciable difference in terms of demographics, inflammatory markers, predictors of mortality scores, and comorbidity indices between the survivors and nonsurvivors. Among outcome analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between ventilator days between survivors and nonsurvivors (p = 0.003^**).

Conclusion

Obesity itself is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection; however, if efficiently managed and in a protocol-determined manner, it can have a favorable outcome.

How to cite this article

Kaur M, Aggarwal R, Ganesh V, Kumar R, Patel N, Ayub A, et al. Clinical Course and Outcome of Critically Ill Obese Patients with COVID-19 Admitted in Intensive Care Unit of a Single Center: Our Experience and Review. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(12):1382–1386.

Evaluation of early antibiotic use in patients with non-severe COVID-19 without bacterial infection

OBJECTIVES

The use of antibiotics was common in some countries during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but adequate evaluation remains lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of early antibiotic use in patients with non-severe COVID-19 admitted without bacterial infection.

METHODS

This multi-centre retrospective cohort study included 1,373 inpatients with non-severe COVID-19 admitted without bacterial infection. Patients were divided into two groups according to their exposure to antibiotics within 48 h of admission. The outcomes were progression to severe COVID-19, length of stay >15 days and mortality rate. A mixed-effect Cox model and random effect logistic regression were used to explore the association between early antibiotic use and outcomes.

RESULTS

During the 30-day follow-up period, the proportion of patients who progressed to severe COVID-19 in the early antibiotic use group was almost 1.4 times that of the comparison group. In the mixed-effect model, the early use of antibiotics was associated with higher probability of developing severe COVID-19 and staying in hospital for >15 days. However, there was no significant association between early use of antibiotics and mortality. Analysis with propensity-score-matched cohorts displayed similar results. In subgroup analysis, patients receiving any class of antibiotic were at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Azithromycin did not improve disease progression and length of stay in patients with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that antibiotic use should be avoided unless absolutely necessary in patients with non-severe COVID-19, particularly in the early stages.

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: review of a lethal interaction from the cellular and molecular level to the bedside

INTRODUCTION

While the main mode of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is close contact with other individuals, the presence of chronic underlying diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) increases the chance of hospitalization and mortality rate due to infection.

AREAS COVERED

To investigate the effects of COVID-19 infection in DM patients, we reviewed literature from Google Scholar search engine and PubMed database from '2013 to 2020' using the terms "COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Diabetes mellitus; obesity; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ACE2; Insulin and Metformin. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 exacerbates the course of diabetes. Presence of pro-inflammatory conditions, increased expression of receptors, and more difficult control of glucose levels in diabetics COVID-19 patients are some of the problems that diabetic patients may face. Also, psychological problems caused by the COVID-19 epidemic in diabetic patients is one of the most important problems in these patients, which is less covered.

EXPERT OPINION

DM is a strong and independent risk factor with a poor prognosis, which increases the risk of COVID-19 infection, the need for emergency services, the rate of hospitalization in the intensive care unit and also increases the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.

Malnutrition in patients with COVID-19: assessment and consequences

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

COVID-19 disease often presents with malnutrition and nutrition impact symptoms, such as reduced appetite, nausea and loss of taste. This review summarizes the most up-to-date research on nutritional assessment in relation to mortality and morbidity risk in patients with COVID-19.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous studies have been published on malnutrition, muscle wasting, obesity, and nutrition impact symptoms associated with COVID-19, mostly observational and in hospitalized patients. These studies have shown a high prevalence of symptoms (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, fatigue, and loss of smell and taste), malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity in patients with COVID-19, all of which were associated with increased mortality and morbidity risks.

SUMMARY

Early screening and assessment of malnutrition, muscle wasting, obesity, nutrition impact symptoms and micronutrient status in patients with COVID-19, followed by pro-active nutrition support is warranted, and expected to contribute to improved recovery. There is limited research on nutritional status or nutrition impact symptoms in patients living at home or in residential care. RCTs studying the effects of nutrition intervention on clinical outcomes are lacking. Future research should focus on these evidence gaps.

Interactions between diabetes and COVID-19: A narrative review

Diabetes, whether due to pancreatic beta cells insufficiency or peripheral resistance to insulin, has been suggested as a risk factor of developing severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Indeed, diabetes has been associated with a higher risk of infections and higher risk of developing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related pneumonia. Diabetic patients often present associated comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and complications of diabetes, including chronic kidney disease, vasculopathy and relative immune dysfunction, all of which make them more susceptible to infectious complications. Moreover, they often present low-grade inflammation with increased circulating interleukin levels, endothelial susceptibility to inflammation and dysfunction, and finally, hyperglycemia, which increases this risk. Additionally, corticosteroids, which count among the few medications which showed benefit on survival and mechanical ventilation requirement in COVID-19 pneumonia in large randomized controlled trials, are associated to new onsets of diabetes, and metabolic disorders in patients with previous history of diabetes. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 via the alternate effects of the renin-angiotensin system, mediated by the angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2, was also associated with insulin resistance in key tissues involved in glucose homeostasis, such as liver, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissue; and also, with impaired insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells. In this work, we reviewed all elements which may help understand how diabetes affects patients with COVID-19, how treatments affect outcomes in patients with COVID-19, how they may cause new onsets of diabetes, and finally review how SARS-CoV-2 may inherently be a risk factor of developing diabetes, through immune-mediated diabetogenic mechanisms.

COVID-19 Outcomes and Genomic Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Isolated From Veterans in New England States: Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinical and virologic characteristics of COVID-19 infections in veterans in New England have not been described. The average US veteran is a male older than the general US population. SARS-CoV-2 infection is known to cause poorer outcomes among men and older adults, making the veteran population an especially vulnerable group for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate clinical and virologic factors impacting COVID-19 outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review included 476 veterans in six New England states with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between April and September 2020. Whole genome sequencing was performed on SARS-CoV-2 RNA isolated from these veterans, and the correlation of genomic data to clinical outcomes was evaluated. Clinical and demographic variables were collected by manual chart review and were correlated to the end points of peak disease severity (based on oxygenation requirements), hospitalization, and mortality using multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 476 veterans, 274 had complete and accessible charts. Of the 274 veterans, 92.7% (n=254) were men and 83.2% (n=228) were White, and the mean age was 63 years. In the multivariate regression, significant predictors of hospitalization (C statistic 0.75) were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08) and non-White race (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.13-5.01). Peak severity (C statistic 0.70) also varied by age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11) and O2 requirement on admission (OR 45.7, 95% CI 18.79-111). Mortality (C statistic 0.87) was predicted by age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11), dementia (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.07-11.1), and O2 requirement on admission (OR 6.74, 95% CI 1.74-26.1). Most (291/299, 97.3%) of our samples were dominated by the spike protein D614G substitution and were from SARS-CoV-2 B.1 lineage or one of 37 different B.1 sublineages, with none representing more than 8.7% (26/299) of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of veterans from the six New England states with a mean age of 63 years and a high comorbidity burden, age was the largest predictor of hospitalization, peak disease severity, and mortality. Non-White veterans were more likely to be hospitalized, and patients who required oxygen on admission were more likely to have severe disease and higher rates of mortality. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages were distributed in patients in New England early in the COVID-19 era, mostly related to viruses from New York State with D614G mutation.

COVID-19 vaccines are effective in people with obesity: A position statement from The Obesity Society

The position statement is issued by The Obesity Society in response to published literature, as well as inquiries made to the Society by patients, providers, Society members, policy makers, and others regarding the efficacy of vaccines in persons with obesity against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Obesity Society has critically evaluated data from published peer-reviewed literature and briefing documents from Emergency Use Authorization applications submitted by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. We conclude that these vaccines are highly efficacious, and their efficacy is not significantly different in people with and without obesity, based on scientific evidence available at the time of publication. The Obesity Society believes there is no definitive way to determine which of these three COVID-19 vaccines is "best" for any weight subpopulation (because of differences in the trial design and outcome measures in the phase 3 trials, elapsed time between doses, and regional differences in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants [e.g., South Africa B.1.351 in Johnson & Johnson trial]). All three trials have demonstrated high efficacy against COVID-19-associated hospitalization and death. Therefore, The Obesity Society encourages adults with obesity ≥18 years (≥16 years for Pfizer-BioNTech) to undergo vaccination with any one of the currently available vaccines authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration as soon as they are able.

The management of type 2 diabetes before, during and after Covid-19 infection: what is the evidence?

Patients with Covid-19 place new challenges on the management of type 2 diabetes, including the questions of whether glucose-lowering therapy should be adjusted during infection and how to manage a return to normal care after resolution of Covid-19 symptoms. Due to the sudden onset of the pandemic, physicians have by necessity made such important clinical decisions in the absence of robust evidence or consistent guidelines. The risk to patients is compounded by the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in this population, which alongside diabetes is a major risk factor for severe disease and mortality in Covid-19. We convened as experts from the Central and Eastern European region to consider what advice we can provide in the setting of type 2 diabetes and Covid-19, considering the evidence before, during and after infection. We review recommendations that have been published to date, and consider the best available—but currently limited—evidence from large observational studies and the DARE-19 randomized control trial. Notably, we find a lack of guidance on restarting patients on optimal antidiabetic therapy after recovering from Covid-19, and suggest that this may provide an opportunity to optimize treatment and counter clinical inertia that predates the pandemic. Furthermore, we emphasize that optimization applies not only to glycaemic control, but other factors such as cardiorenal protection. While we look forward to the emergence of new evidence that we hope will address these gaps, in the interim we provide a perspective, based on our collective clinical experience, on how best to manage glucose-lowering therapy as patients with Covid-19 recover from their disease and return to normal care.

Clinical Characteristics, Care Trajectories and Mortality Rate of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Simple Summary

COVID-19 may be more frequent and more severe in cancer patients than in other individuals. Our aims were to assess the rate of COVID-19 in hospitalized cancer patients, to describe their demographic characteristics, clinical features and care trajectories, and to assess the mortality rate. A total of 1148 hospitalized patients were included. The mortality rate was 33%. In multivariate analysis, mortality-related factors were male sex, advanced age, more than two comorbidities, C-reactive protein >20 ng/mL, primary brain tumors and lung cancer. Risk of dying was lower among patients with metabolic comorbidities.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 may be more frequent and more severe in cancer patients than in other individuals. Our aims were to assess the rate of COVID-19 in hospitalized cancer patients, to describe their demographic characteristics, clinical features and care trajectories, and to assess the mortality rate. Methods: This multicenter cohort study was based on the Electronic Health Records of the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). Cancer patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 between 3 March and 19 May 2020 were included. Main outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: A total of 29,141 cancer patients were identified and 7791 (27%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 1359 (17%) were COVID-19-positive and 1148 (84%) were hospitalized; 217 (19%) were admitted to an intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 33% (383 deaths). In multivariate analysis, mortality-related factors were male sex (aHR = 1.39 [95% CI: 1.07–1.81]), advanced age (78–86 y: aHR = 2.83 [95% CI: 1.78–4.51] vs. <66 y; 86–103 y: aHR = 2.61 [95% CI: 1.56–4.35] vs. <66 y), more than two comorbidities (aHR = 2.32 [95% CI: 1.41–3.83]) and C-reactive protein >20 ng/mL (aHR = 2.20 [95% CI: 1.70–2.86]). Primary brains tumors (aHR = 2.19 [95% CI: 1.08–4.44]) and lung cancer (aHR = 1.66 [95% CI: 1.02–2.70]) were associated with higher mortality. Risk of dying was lower among patients with metabolic comorbidities (aHR = 0.65 [95% CI: 0.50–0.84]). Conclusions: In a hospital-based setting, cancer patients with COVID-19 had a high mortality rate. This mortality was mainly driven by age, sex, number of comorbidities and presence of inflammation. This is the first cohort of cancer patients in which metabolic comorbidities were associated with a better outcome.

Association of obesity with postacute sequelae of COVID-19

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and mortality. However, it is not known whether patients with obesity are at a greater risk of developing postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). In a median follow-up time of 8 months and counting from 30 days following a positive viral test of 2839 patients who did not require intensive care unit admission and survived the acute phase of COVID-19, 1230 (43%) patients required medical diagnostic tests, 1255 (44%) patients underwent hospital admission, and 29 (1%) patients died. Compared with patients with a normal body mass index (BMI), the risk of hospital admission was 28% and 30% higher in patients with moderate and severe obesity, respectively. The need for diagnostic tests to assess different medical problems, compared with patients with normal BMI, was 25% and 39% higher in patients with moderate and severe obesity, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that moderate and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² ) are associated with a greater risk of PASC.

COVID-19 and Obesity: Role of Ectopic Visceral and Epicardial Adipose Tissues in Myocardial Injury

In March 2020, the WHO declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic. Obesity was soon identified as a risk factor for poor prognosis, with an increased risk of intensive care admissions and mechanical ventilation, but also of adverse cardiovascular events. Obesity is associated with adipose tissue, chronic low-grade inflammation, and immune dysregulation with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, to implement appropriate therapeutic strategies, exact mechanisms must be clarified. The role of white visceral adipose tissue, increased in individuals with obesity, seems important, as a viral reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. After infection of host cells, the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines creates a setting conducive to the "cytokine storm" and macrophage activation syndrome associated with progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome. In obesity, systemic viral spread, entry, and prolonged viral shedding in already inflamed adipose tissue may spur immune responses and subsequent amplification of a cytokine cascade, causing worse outcomes. More precisely, visceral adipose tissue, more than subcutaneous fat, could predict intensive care admission; and lower density of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) could be associated with worse outcome. EAT, an ectopic adipose tissue that surrounds the myocardium, could fuel COVID-19-induced cardiac injury and myocarditis, and extensive pneumopathy, by strong expression of inflammatory mediators that could diffuse paracrinally through the vascular wall. The purpose of this review is to ascertain what mechanisms may be involved in unfavorable prognosis among COVID-19 patients with obesity, especially cardiovascular events, emphasizing the harmful role of excess ectopic adipose tissue, particularly EAT.

Obesity and Cardiomyopathy

While much has been written about the syndrome of diabetic cardiomyopathy, clinicians and research scientists are now beginning to realize that an entirely unique syndrome exists, albeit with several commonalities to the diabetic syndrome, that being obesity cardiomyopathy. This syndrome develops independent of such comorbidities as hypertension, myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease; and it is characterized by specific alterations in adipose tissue function, inflammation and metabolism. Recent insights into the etiology of the syndrome and its consequences have focused on the roles played by altered intracellular calcium homeostasis, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. A timely and comprehensive review by Ren, Wu, Wang, Sowers and Zhang (1) identifies unique mechanisms underlying this syndrome, its relationship to heart failure and the recently identified incidence of COVID-19-related cardiovascular mortality. Importantly, the review concludes by advancing recommendations for novel approaches to the clinical management of this dangerous form of cardiomyopathy.

Diabetes and COVID-19: The past, the present, and the future

Diabetes, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world, is strongly associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19. Scrupulous blood sugar management is crucial, since the worse outcomes are closely associated with higher blood sugar levels in COVID-19 infection. Although recent observational studies showed that insulin was associated with mortality, it should not deter insulin use in hospitalized patients requiring tight glucose control. Back and forth dilemma in the past with regards to continue/discontinue certain medications used in diabetes have been mostly resolved. The initial fears of consequences related to continuing certain medications have been largely dispelled. COVID-19 also necessitates the transformation in diabetes care through the integration of technologies. Recent advances in health-related technologies, notably telemedicine and remote continuous glucose monitoring, have become essential in the management of diabetes during the pandemic. Today, these technologies have changed the landscape of medicine and become more important than ever. Being a high-risk population, patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, should be prioritized for vaccination. In the future, as the pandemic fades, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is expected to rise due to lifestyle changes and medical issues/dilemma encountered during the pandemic.

Obesity in people with diabetes in COVID-19 times: Important considerations and precautions to be taken

At the end of 2019, a new disease with pandemic potential appeared in China. It was a novel coronavirus called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Later, in the first quarter of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of this disease a pandemic. Elderly people, people with comorbidities, and health care professionals are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Obesity has been growing exponentially worldwide, affecting several age groups. It is a morbidity that is associated with genetic, epigenetic, environment factors and/or interaction between them. Obesity is associated with the development of several diseases including diabetes mellitus, mainly type 2. Diabetes affects a significant portion of the global population. Obesity and diabetes are among the main risk factors for the development of severe symptoms of COVID-19, and individuals with these conditions constitute a risk group. Based on a literature review on obesity in people with diabetes in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study presents updated important considerations and care to be taken with this population.

Sex disparities in COVID-19 outcomes of inpatients with diabetes: insights from the CORONADO study

OBJECTIVE

Male sex is one of the determinants of severe coronavirus diseas-e-2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to characterize sex differences in severe outcomes in adults with diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19.

METHODS

We performed a sex-stratified analysis of clinical and biological features and outcomes (i.e. invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and home discharge at day 7 (D7) or day 28 (D28)) in 2380 patients with diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19 and included in the nationwide CORONADO observational study (NCT04324736).

RESULTS

The study population was predominantly male (63.5%). After multiple adjustments, female sex was negatively associated with the primary outcome (IMV and/or death, OR: 0.66 (0.49-0.88)), death (OR: 0.49 (0.30-0.79)) and ICU admission (OR: 0.57 (0.43-0.77)) at D7 but only with ICU admission (OR: 0.58 (0.43-0.77)) at D28. Older age and a history of microvascular complications were predictors of death at D28 in both sexes, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was predictive of death in women only. At admission, C-reactive protein (CRP), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), according to the CKD-EPI formula predicted death in both sexes. Lymphocytopenia was an independent predictor of death in women only, while thrombocytopenia and elevated plasma glucose concentration were predictors of death in men only.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with diabetes admitted for COVID-19, female sex was associated with lower incidence of early severe outcomes, but did not influence the overall in-hospital mortality, suggesting that diabetes mitigates the female protection from COVID-19 severity. Sex-associated biological determinants may be useful to optimize COVID-19 prevention and management in women and men.