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Visceral Adiposity Elevates the Risk of Critical Condition in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mária Földi1,2,3, Nelli Farkas1,4, Szabolcs Kiss1,2,3

  • 1Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|December 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Higher visceral fat area (VFA) is linked to critical COVID-19 outcomes. This study found increased VFA in patients needing intensive care or mechanical ventilation, highlighting abdominal adiposity as a significant risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Medical research
  • Public health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19.
  • Body composition, specifically visceral adiposity, may offer more accurate patient stratification than BMI alone.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between computed-tomography-quantified fat mass distribution and critical COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To determine if visceral fat area (VFA) can predict severe disease in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across five databases up to November 17, 2020.
  • Meta-analysis of pooled mean differences (SMD) in VFA between intensive care unit (ICU) patients and general ward patients.
  • Meta-analysis of pooled mean differences (SMD) in VFA between patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and those not.

Main Results:

  • Patients in the ICU had significantly higher VFA compared to those on the general ward (SMD = 0.46, P < 0.001).
  • Patients requiring IMV also showed significantly higher VFA compared to those without IMV (SMD = 0.38, P = 0.026).

Conclusions:

  • Visceral fat area (VFA) is significantly higher in patients with critical COVID-19 conditions.
  • Abdominal adiposity, indicated by VFA, appears to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19.
  • Patients with central obesity may require closer monitoring and specialized attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract

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