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Elevated body mass index is associated with an increased risk of infectious disease admissions and mortality: a

G Butler-Laporte1, A Harroud2, V Forgetta3

  • 1Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|June 28, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Higher body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of infectious disease hospital admissions and mortality. This study used genetic data to confirm a causal link between elevated BMI and infectious disease outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and infectious disease risk is complex and often confounded.
  • Previous studies have yielded unclear results regarding the impact of BMI on infectious disease admissions and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal effect of body mass index (BMI) on the risk of hospital admissions and mortality for various infectious diseases.
  • To utilize genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and Mendelian randomization (MR) for robust causal inference.

Main Methods:

  • Employed Mendelian randomization (MR) using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) data from the UK Biobank and GIANT consortium.
  • Analyzed associations between genetically predicted BMI and hospital admissions for pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and all-cause infections.
  • Assessed 28-day and 90-day mortality for pneumonia and sepsis patients.

Main Results:

  • Genetically predicted higher BMI was causally associated with increased infectious disease admissions, particularly for SSTIs.
  • A one standard deviation increase in BMI was linked to higher pneumonia mortality, especially within 28 days.
  • No clear association was found with sepsis mortality, though sample size limitations existed. Sensitivity analyses supported the primary findings.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated body mass index (BMI) is causally linked to an increased risk of infectious disease hospitalization and mortality.
  • The underlying mechanisms may involve BMI-induced immune dysregulation.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology connecting BMI and infectious disease susceptibility.
Keywords:
Body mass indexInfectionsMendelian randomizationMortalityObesitySepsis

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