Background and Objective Obesity has been reported as a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19. However, available studies presenting data on obesity prevalence in patients with COVID-19 have conflicting results. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the prevalence of obesity in these patients and to stratify the estimates by illness severity. Methods We performed a literature search with the use of Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar database from December 1, 2019 to June 27, 2020 and systematically reviewed studies reporting the number of obese patients with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Nineteen studies were identified. The pooled obesity prevalence rates were 0.32 (95% CI: 0.24–0.41) in hospitalized patients, 0.41 (95% CI: 0.36–0.45) in patients admitted to intensive care unit, 0.43 (95% CI: 0.36–0.51) in patients needing invasive mechanic ventilation (IMV), and 0.33 (95% CI: 0.26–0.41) in those who died. Obesity was associated with a higher risk for hospitalization [Odds ratio (OR): 1.3, 95% CI: 1.00–1.69; I 2 52%, p = 0.05], ICU admission (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.16–1.97; I 2 72%, p = 0.002), and IMV requirement (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.34–2.35; I 2 0%, p < 0.001). The increase in risk of death did not reach statistical significance (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.76–2.16, p = 0.35) which might be due to obesity survival paradox and/or unidentified factors. Conclusions Our data indicate that obese subjects may be at higher risk for serious illness if infected and obesity may play a role in the progression of COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Prognosis, obesity, body mass index, 【초록키워드】 Meta-analysis, intensive care, Hospitalization, SARS-COV-2 infection, Ventilation, systematic review, progression, hospitalized patients, risk factor, database, adverse outcome, Prevalence, survival, Patient, ICU admission, Factors, estimate, Illness severity, Google Scholar, prevalence rate, risk of death, higher risk, subject, statistical significance, obese, objective, IMV, invasive, polymerase chain, real-time reverse transcriptase, Result, performed, evaluate, died, reported, increase in, presenting, obese patient, patients with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 review, Impact,