Aim-

A study evaluated the link between obesity and COVID-19 concerning the underlying lung function strata. 

Design-

• 502, 543 participants aged 40 - 69 years were included in the UK Biobank study. A total of 36,896 participants in the UK Biobank who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 were included.
• Body mass index (BMI) at baseline classifiednormal (BMI<25), overweight (25≤BMI<30) and obesity (BMI≥30) groups.
• Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and their ratio at baseline were categorized.
• Association of obesity with SARS-CoV-2 positivity after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, socioeconomic status (Townsend index), diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), physical activity and ethnicity was assessed. 

Results-

Reference-

Bui D, Cassim R, Russell M, Doherty A, Lowe A, Agusti A, Dharmage S, Lodge C. Lung Function Levels Influence the Association Between Obesity and Risk of COVID-19. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2021 Aug 17. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202105-1100LE.

(One of the most read articles)