Evaluating the potential mediating role of ADAMTS13 activity in the relationship between obesity and the severity of COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

Obesity and low enzyme A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif-13 (ADAMTS13) activity have been linked to poor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given that obesity may influence ADAMTS13 activity, it is feasible; however, it remains unclear whether ADAMTS13 activity acts as a mediator between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. We investigated the link between body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 outcomes, using ADAMTS13 activity as a mediator. ADAMTS13 activity was measured in 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. BMI, ADAMTS13 activity, and COVID-19 outcomes were assessed. Obese patients had a high odds ratio for low ADAMTS13 levels. When different levels of ADAMTS13 activity were considered, the severity of COVID-19 in obese patients was 4.5 times that in the normal BMI group. Furthermore, increased coagulopathy indicators correlated with low ADAMTS13 activity. Patients with elevated ALT and AST levels showed a 3 to 4-fold increase in the chances of low ADAMTS13 activity (OR:3.19, 95% CI:1.22-8.90, P = .021; OR:2.17, 95% CI:0.91-5.27, P = .082, respectively). When ADAMTS13 activity was considered, obese patients had greater COVID-19 severity and slower viral clearance than those with normal BMI. Low ADAMTS13 activity and impaired liver function are associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. These findings encourage researchers to use molecular component identification to study the effects of obesity on the von Willebrand factor (VWF)/ADAMTS13 axis, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and outcomes.

Interleukin-6 and the determinants of severe COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

Cytokines, notably interleukin-6 (IL-6), increase considerably in patients with severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This vigorous immune response may cause end-organ failure or death; hence, measuring IL-6 in the context of patient characteristics may help predict outcomes and encourage early comprehensive therapy. This study investigated the association between serum IL-6 levels, COVID-19 severity, and demographic, clinical, and biochemical characteristics. COVID-19 inpatients in NMC hospitals were investigated between November 2020 and November 2021. Several patient variables related to serum IL-6 and COVID-19 severity have been examined. The study included 374 COVID-19 inpatients, 235 of whom had severe disease with a median age of 51. The elderly had an increased risk of severe COVID-19 (73.8%) compared with young adults (71%), with higher white blood cells, D-dimer, Lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, ferritin, prothrombin time, Procalcitonin, and fibrinogen levels (P < .001). C-reactive protein, troponin, intensive care unit admission, disease severity score, and mortality were significantly associated with higher serum IL-6 levels (P = .05) in the univariate analysis, but this significance disappeared in the multivariate analysis. IL-6, along with other demographic and clinical variables affected COVID-19 severity. These characteristics may predict patients at risk of severe disease and assist in establishing early comprehensive disease outcome strategies. Large-scale clinical research is needed to emphasize IL-6 and COVID-19.