An overall of 20,212 adult clients with obesity were included in this observational research study. A group of 5,053 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher who had weight-loss surgery in between 2004 and 2017 were thoroughly matched 1:3 to non-surgical clients, resulting in 15,159 control patients. Compared with those in the non-surgical group, patients who had bariatric surgical treatment lost 19% more body weight prior to March 1, 2020 (the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Cleveland).
” Striking findings from the existing study support the reversibility of the health consequences of obesity in the clients with COVID-19,” said the studys senior author, Steven Nissen, M.D., Chief Academic Officer of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic.
Effective weight-loss intervention before infection related to 60% lower danger of severe illness in clients with obesity.
A Cleveland Clinic research study reveals that among patients with obesity, prior weight-loss accomplished with bariatric surgery was associated with a 60% lower risk of developing extreme issues from COVID-19 infection. The research was published in the journal JAMA Surgery.
Many studies have established obesity as a major danger factor for developing serious illness from an infection of SARS-CoV-2, the infection that triggers COVID-19. Obesity deteriorates the immune system, produces a chronic inflammatory state, and increases risk for heart disease, blood clots, and lung conditions. All of these conditions can make complex COVID-19.
The objective of this study was to take a look at whether a successful weight-loss intervention in patients with obesity prior to contracting COVID-19 could reduce the danger of developing a severe form of this illness.
” The research findings reveal that patients with obesity who attained sustained and substantial weight reduction with bariatric surgical treatment prior to a COVID-19 infection decreased their threat of establishing extreme health problem by 60 percent,” said Ali Aminian, M.D., lead author of the study and director of Cleveland Clinics Bariatric & & Metabolic Institute. “Our research study supplies strong evidence that obesity is a modifiable risk factor for COVID-19 that can be improved through a successful weight-loss intervention.”
A total of 20,212 adult patients with obesity were included in this observational research study. A group of 5,053 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher who had weight-loss surgery between 2004 and 2017 were thoroughly matched 1:3 to non-surgical patients, leading to 15,159 control clients. Compared with those in the non-surgical group, patients who had bariatric surgery lost 19% more body weight prior to March 1, 2020 (the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Cleveland).
After the COVID-19 break out, researchers looked at 4 COVID-19-related outcomes: rate of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, require for supplemental oxygen, and serious illness (defined as a combination of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, or death).
Although the rate of contracting SARS-CoV-2 was similar in between the groups (9.1% in the surgical group and 8.7% in the non-surgical group), individuals in the weight-loss surgery group experienced far better results after contracting COVID-19 compared with those in the non-surgical group. Researchers found that patients with previous weight reduction surgical treatment had a 49% lower threat of hospitalization, 63% lower risk of need for supplemental oxygen, and 60% lower risk of developing severe COVID-19.
Although the specific underlying systems are not known, these data recommend that clients who underwent weight-loss surgical treatment were much healthier at the time of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection, which resulted in better clinical results.
” Striking findings from the existing study support the reversibility of the health effects of obesity in the clients with COVID-19,” stated the studys senior author, Steven Nissen, M.D., Chief Academic Officer of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. “This research study suggests that a focus on weight loss as a public health strategy can enhance outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and future break outs or related transmittable diseases. That is an extremely essential finding considering that 40% of Americans have obesity.”
Reference: “Association of Weight Loss Achieved Through Metabolic Surgery With Risk and Severity of COVID-19 Infection” 29 December 2021, JAMA Surgery.DOI: 10.1001/ jamasurg.2021.6496.
This study was funded by a research study grant from Medtronic. Medtronic had no role in the style, conduct, and publication of the research study.