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This study shows that in obese patients, previous weight loss from basic surgery was associated with a 60% lower risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 infection.
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Studies at the Cleveland Clinic show that significant weight loss can reduce an individual’s risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
This study, published in the journal JAMA Surgery, found that previous weight loss from basic surgery was associated with a 60% lower risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 infection in obese patients. Is shown.
“Our study provides strong evidence that obesity is a correctable risk factor for COVID-19 and can be ameliorated by successful weight loss interventions,” said the director of the Cleveland Clinic Barrier Trick and Metabolic Institute. Ariaminian, a research author and author, said.
Many studies have established obesity as a major risk factor for developing severe COVID-19 disease.
This is because obesity weakens the immune system, causes chronic inflammatory conditions, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and lung conditions.
A total of 20,212 obese adult patients were included in this study.
A group of 5,053 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher who underwent weight loss surgery between 2004 and 2017 was carefully matched 1: 3 with non-surgical patients and 15,159 control patients. Was obtained.
Compared to patients in the non-surgical group, patients who underwent obesity surgery lost 19% more weight before March 1, 2020, the onset of COVID-19 outbreaks in Cleveland.
Although the rates of COVID-19 infection were similar between groups (9.1% in the surgical group and 8.7% in the non-surgical group), participants in the weight loss surgery group were infected with COVID-19 and then non-surgical. Group.
Researchers found that patients who had previously undergone weight loss surgery had a 49% lower risk of hospitalization, a 63% lower risk of needing oxygen supplementation, and a 60% lower risk of developing severe COVID-19. Did.
Although the exact underlying mechanism is unknown, these data suggest that patients undergoing weight loss surgery were healthier at the time of COVID-19 infection and had better clinical outcomes.
