Abstract
Objective
We aimed to examine the associations of obesity-related traits (body mass index [BMI], central obesity) and their genetic predisposition with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in a population-based data.
Research design and methods
We analyzed data from 489,769 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank—a population-based cohort study. The exposures of interest are BMI categories and central obesity (e.g., larger waist circumference). Using genome-wide genotyping data, we also computed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) that represent an individual’s overall genetic risk for each obesity trait. The outcome was severe COVID-19, defined by hospitalization for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
Results
Of 489,769 individuals, 33% were normal weight (BMI, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), 43% overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and 24% obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). The UK Biobank identified 641 patients with severe COVID-19. Compared to adults with normal weight, those with a higher BMI had a dose-response increases in the risk of severe COVID-19, with the following adjusted ORs: for 25.0–29.9 kg/m2, 1.40 (95%CI 1.14–1.73; P = 0.002); for 30.0–34.9 kg/m2, 1.73 (95%CI 1.36–2.20; P < 0.001); for 35.0–39.9 kg/m2, 2.82 (95%CI 2.08–3.83; P < 0.001); and for ≥40.0 kg/m2, 3.30 (95%CI 2.17–5.03; P < 0.001). Likewise, central obesity was associated with significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, larger PRS for BMI was associated with higher risk of outcome (adjusted OR per BMI PRS Z-score 1.14, 95%CI 1.05–1.24; P = 0.004).
Conclusions
In this large population-based cohort, individuals with more-severe obesity, central obesity, or genetic predisposition for obesity are at higher risk of developing severe-COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus disease 2019, acute respiratory distress syndrome, body mass index, polygenic risk score, COVID-19coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, ARDSacute respiratory distress syndrome, BMIbody mass index, PRSpolygenic risk score, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, severe COVID-19, Hospitalization, UK biobank, obesity, risk, outcome, Patient, BMI, population-based cohort, association, Research design, PRS, Genetic predisposition, genetic risk, risk score, Waist circumference, 95%CI, higher risk, individual, obese, laboratory-confirmed, Z-score, objective, Result, enrolled, defined, analyzed, adjusted, significantly higher, individuals, increases in, BMI category, genome-wide genotyping, 【제목키워드】 obesity, risk, population-based cohort, Genetic predisposition,