Obesity May Up Length of Stay, Mortality for COVID-19 Patients in ICU

Twofold higher risk for composite outcome of death or length of stay ≥14 days seen in obese COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU

THURSDAY, Oct. 14, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher risk for death and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) among patients with COVID-19, according to a study published online Oct. 13 in PLOS ONE.

Lovisa Sj ¶gren, from University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues used data from the Swedish Intensive Care Registry to identify 1,649 COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs to determine whether a high BMI affects the risk for death or prolonged LOS.

The researchers found a significant association between BMI and the risk for the composite outcome of death or LOS ≥14 days in survivors (odds ratio [OR] per standard deviation [SD] increase, 1.30), when adjusting for sex, age, and comorbidities. This association remained after further adjusting for severity of illness at ICU admission (OR, 1.30 per SD). Individuals with a BMI ≥35 kg/m² had a twofold higher risk for the composite of death or LOS ≥14 days. There was also an association between a high BMI and death during intensive care and a prolonged LOS in survivors assessed as separate outcomes.

“Based on our findings, we suggest that individuals with obesity should be more closely monitored when hospitalized for COVID-19,” the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to Johnson & Johnson Medical.

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