Amazing effects of weight loss on COVID-19 infection

Aminian Ali

Short Note

It has been medically established that weight loss reduces the serious impact of COVID-19 infection.

Obesity has been identified as a key risk factor for developing serious illness as a result of an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to numerous research.

Moreover, Obesity impairs the immune system, causes chronic inflammation, and raises the risk of heart disease, blood clots, and lung disease. COVID-19 can be complicated by any of these factors.

Aim of experiment

The goal of this trial was to see if a successful weight-loss strategy in obese patients before contracting COVID-19 could minimize the probability of a severe version of the disease.

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Researchers examined four COVID-19-related outcomes following the outbreak:

The rate of getting SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, the need for supplemental oxygen, and severe sickness (defined as a combination of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation or death).

A total of 20,212 adults suffering from obesity were enrolled in this observational study.

A total of 5,053 patients with a BMI of 35 or higher who underwent weight-loss surgery were systematically matched 1:3 to non-surgical patients between 2004 and 2017, yielding 15,159 control subjects.

When compared to people who did not have surgery, patients who had bariatric surgery lost 19 percent more weight by March 1, 2020 (the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Cleveland).

Most importantly, following the outbreak, researchers looked at four COVID-19-related outcomes: the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, oxygen use, and severe illness (defined as a combination of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation or death) in order to draw their conclusions on how a successful weight loss program can significantly reduce COVID-19 infection problems.

Conclusion

“The research findings show that patients with obesity who achieved substantial and sustained weight loss with bariatric surgery prior to a COVID-19 infection reduced their risk of developing severe illness by 60%. Our study provides strong evidence that obesity is a modifiable risk factor for COVID-19 that can be improved through a successful weight-loss intervention.”

Ali Aminian, MD, Study Lead Author and Director of Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic


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