Why the study?
Although obesity is linked to higher mortality generally, its relationship with critical illness is complex, prompting evaluation of whether BMI predicts 30-day mortality and lengths of stay in critically ill patients.
Does BMI predict 30-day mortality and ICU/hospital length of stay in critically ill patients?
Population
Over 5400 critically ill patients
Comparison
Different BMI categories compared to normal weight
Design
Retrospective study
Follow-up
30-day
Key result
Higher BMI, particularly class II obesity, was associated with lower 30-day mortality in critically ill patients, while another unspecified BMI category showed higher mortality (HR 1.44, p=0.006).
Authors
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Should not yet alter ICU nutrition or triage by BMI; extends obesity paradox observations but remains hypothesis-generating.
Cohort (n=5,400)
Does BMI predict 30-day mortality and ICU/hospital length of stay in critically ill patients?
Effect estimate: HR 1.44
p-value: p=0.006
In critically ill patients, higher BMI is associated with lower 30-day mortality but longer hospital and ICU lengths of stay, reflecting the obesity paradox.
Genton et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Critically ill patients (n=5,400). Higher BMI (overweight, obesity class I and II) vs. Normal weight was evaluated on 30-day mortality (HR 1.44, p=0.006). Higher BMI, particularly class II obesity, was associated with lower 30-day mortality in critically ill patients, while another unspecified BMI category showed higher mortality (HR 1.44, p=0.006).