association between body mass index and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Background and purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an unprecedented health crisis to the entireworld. As reported, the bodymass index (BMI)may play an important role in COVID-19; however, this still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the association between BMI and COVID-19 severity and mortality. Methods: A retrospective, single-centred study including 88 participants with laboratory-detected SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to designated COVID-19 centre in a tertiary care hospital from March to October, 2020 was done. Clinical records, laboratory data, and radiological findings were analysed. The impact OF BMI was evaluated to analyze their association with the severity of Covid-19 infection in these patients. Results: The severity of illness tended to increase in patients with higher BMI levels and lower BMI levels; the severity of illness in patients with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 was highest (90%) followed by BMI > 25.0 kg/m2 was 79.2% when compared to patients with BMI 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 (77.8%).