Obesity - Obesity and Covid -19

COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and is believed to be a betacoronavirus related to the SARS virus. Symptoms of COVID-19 infection range from illness with no symptoms to severe acute respiratory infection. Many people with COVID-19 have the disease with no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Approximately 14% of patients infected with Covid 19 require hospitalization and oxygen support, while approximately 5% require hospitalization and treatment in intensive care.  Multiorgan failure, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, as well as acute kidney injury and cardiac damage, can occur in this patient population admitted to the ICU. Aging and comorbidities are reported as risk factors for death. When we look at the risk factors for serious diseases, we see diabetes and high blood pressure in the first place.

Many obese people have many comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea and fatty liver. High blood sugar levels negatively impact immune function and increase the risk of dying from infection. This also applies to Covid 19.

 When examining the patients treated in the intensive care unit, body mass indices are significantly higher than in patients with mild symptoms. The research shows that young and overweight people with obesity need more intensive care.

There are also many difficulties in treating obese people. Special beds for obese patients are very limited. It is more difficult to provide airway support to obese people. Imaging procedures such as tomography and MR have weight restrictions.  Because of this limitation, it may not be possible to perform the tests required for diagnosis.  Overweight patients may have difficulty being carried by intensive care staff.

Unfortunately, the Covid 19 pandemic is affecting obese patients more, causing more deaths. Obesity is a disease that must be fought and treated.  Getting rid of obesity means getting rid of many diseases.