Unmasking the Role of Obesity in COVID-19: Effects on Laboratory parameters, inflammatory Markers and Clinical outcome | [Rawal Medical Journal • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Ghazala Jawwad: Departments of Physiology, Bahria University College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Ghulam Mustafa Azad Lodhi: Departments of Physiology, Bahria University College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Javeria Abbasi: Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

4. Ramesha Tahir: Departments of Physiology, Bahria University College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan

5. Arslan Kareem: Departments of Physiology, Bahria University College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan

6. Maleha Asim: Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

Objectives: To compare the outcome in obese and non-obese covid positive patients. Methodology: In this retrospective study, data were obtained from the records of 150 COVID-positive patients, aged 18-80 years, admitted to Railway Hospital Rawalpindi and Riphah International Hospital Sihala from July 2021 to November 2022. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of BMI. They were categorised into two groups: obese and non-obese. Laboratory parameters, inflammatory markers and outcomes were compared in two groups. Results: Blood gas analysis revealed significantly higher pCO2 levels (62.01±21.98 vs 54.35±12.43 mmHg, p=0.011) and lower PO2 in obese as compared to nonobese (62.96±12.07 vs 65.85±11.09 mmHg, p=0.038). No significant differences were observed between the two groups for ferritin, d-dimers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Obese patients had significantly higher glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb-A1c) levels (6.98±1.85% vs 6.17±1.64%, p=0.005). Oxygen requirements at discharge and mortality rate were significantly higher in obese as compared to non-obese (1.48±1.3 vs 0.70±1.05 L/min, p<0.001, and 33 (40.2%) deaths compared to 10 (14.7%), p=0.001). Conclusion: Obese covid positive patients were more likely to have poor outcome in terms of increase morta-lity.

Page(s): 576-580

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Rawal Medical Journal, Volume: 50, Issue: 3, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Ferritin , Obesity , DDimers , outcome , Creactive protein , inflammatory markers

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