Key result
Obesity significantly increased the risk of severe outcomes in patients with COVID-19 (OR 2.07) and influenza (OR 1.56), as well as influenza mortality (OR 1.99), but did not significantly increase COVID-19 mortality.
Why the study?
Studies showed a link between obesity and severe outcomes of influenza and COVID-19, but a systematic comparison of the impacts of obesity on their severity and mortality was needed.
Does obesity increase the severity and mortality of influenza and COVID-19?
Meta-Analysis (n=4,033,682)
Does obesity increase the severity and mortality of influenza and COVID-19?
Odds Ratio: 2.07 (95% CI 1.53–2.81)
Obesity is a significant risk factor for severe outcomes in both influenza and COVID-19, and increases mortality in influenza, highlighting the need for special monitoring and early treatment of obese patients with these viral infections.
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Obesity warrants closer monitoring and early intervention in influenza or COVID-19; confirms severity risk across both while leaving COVID-19 mortality association open.
Zhao et al. (2020) conducted a meta-analysis in Influenza and COVID-19 (n=4,033,682). Obesity vs. Non-obese patients was evaluated on Severe outcome of COVID-19 (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.53-2.81). Obesity significantly increased the risk of severe outcomes in patients with COVID-19 (OR 2.07) and influenza (OR 1.56), as well as influenza mortality (OR 1.99), but did not significantly increase COVID-19 mortality.
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