Impact of obesity on hospitalizations and mortality, due to COVID-19: A systematic review.

The aim of the current review was to assess whether there was an association between obesity and higher levels of hospitalization, poor outcomes and mortality due to the disease of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of articles on the novel coronavirus, containing information on obesity and its association with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. In the bibliographic research, four databases were used, with the terms ['COVID-19'] AND ['hospitalization'] AND ['obesity'] AND ['mortality']. Studies published from 12/01/2019 until 05/01/2020 were included. The research contains inclusive criteria targeting studies of humans adults infected by Sars-Cov-2, with or without comorbidities. This research was selected from publications in Spanish and English languages. RESULTS: 96 articles were identified, 15 being presented in two databases. Twenty articles were included, with a population total estimated from 1 to 7671 patients, with a prevalence of obesity ranging from 13.3% to 68.6%. The association of obesity and mortality has been observed in at least 4 studies, that 85.3% of the population was hospitalized. Among 19 of the 20 studies, more severe forms of the disease were observed and in 14 of them, higher rates of complications among obese people infected with the new coronavirus. Limitation differences in the definition of obesity was observed among publications, of which obesity was considered from a body mass index >25 kg/m². CONCLUSIONS: In the current review, obesity and overweight were represented an unfavorable factor for infection of novel coronavirus, where the higher the BMI the worse the outcomes. This occurred by worsening the infection itself, as well as increasing the prevalence of hospitalizations, worst outcomes and greater lethality; especially when co-occurring with other chronic conditions and in the elderly as well. Given this evidence, greater attention is suggested to the obese and overweight population in the face of the current pandemic.

Factors associated with tobacco use among patients with multiple chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for disease onset and progression among the major chronic diseases accounting for most morbidity and mortality in the world. Our objective was to identify characteristics associated with tobacco use among patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was implemented at the Center HIPERDIA Minas Juiz de Fora, Brazil, which manages patients with high cardiovascular risk, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: Of 1558 participants, 12% were current smokers; 41% former smokers and 47%, never smokers. In univariate analyses, current smoking was associated with gender, age, physical activity, alcohol use, depressive symptoms, overweight, and atherosclerosis. In multinomial analyses, multiple chronic conditions were associated with the current or previous use of tobacco; COPD and atherosclerotic disease were more prevalent among patients who were current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking was as prevalent in this high population as in the general population. Smokers had worse clinical profiles compared to former smokers or never smokers. Aggressive smoking cessation support should yield considerable health benefits and health care cost savings within patients with MCC, especially, those with high cardiovascular risk.