Obesity and COVID-19: what makes obese host so vulnerable?

The disease (COVID-19) novel coronavirus pandemic has so far infected millions resulting in the death of over a million people as of Oct 2020. More than 90% of those infected with COVID-19 show mild or no symptoms but the rest of the infected cases show severe symptoms resulting in significant mortality. Age has emerged as a major factor to predict the severity of the disease and mortality rates are significantly higher in elderly patients. Besides, patients with underlying conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cancer have an increased risk of severe disease and death due to COVID-19 infection. Obesity has emerged as a novel risk factor for hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Several independent studies have observed that people with obesity are at a greater risk of severe disease and death due to COVID-19. Here we review the published data related to obesity and overweight to assess the possible risk and outcome in Covid-19 patients based on their body weight. Besides, we explore how the obese host provides a unique microenvironment for disease pathogenesis, resulting in increased severity of the disease and poor outcome.

Comparative study of various forms of urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in muscle invasive carcinoma urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the three types of urinary diversion namely Ileal Conduit, MAINZ Pouch II and Ileal Neobladder in terms of patient preference, post-operative hospital stay, early and late complications, continence rates, quality of life and patient satisfaction. METHOD: From January 2003 to October 2007, 30 patients (28 males and 2 females) of muscle invasive carcinoma urinary bladder (mean age 57.7 years) were operated upon by radical cysto- prostatectomy or anterior pelvic exenteration and urinary diversion was performed by Ileal conduit, Mainz pouch II or Ileal neobladder. The patient preference for the type of diversion was determined pre-operatively after discussing all the three types of urinary diversions. Post-operative hospital stay, early and late complications, continence rates, quality of life and patient satisfaction with the type of diversion were evaluated on follow up. RESULTS: 60% of the patient's preferred Ileal neobladder, 10% preferred Ileal conduit and 10% preferred Mainz pouch II as their 1st choice diversion; 20% left the decision to the operating surgeon. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 15.0 days in Ileal conduit group, 17.8 days in Mainz pouch II group and 19.7 days in Ileal neobladder group. The mean follow up was 27.7 months. Early complications (within 1 month of surgery) were observed in 46.2% of patients in Ileal conduit group, 38.5% in Mainz pouch II group and 50.0% in Ileal neobladder group. Late complications (after 1 month of surgery) were seen in 61.5% of patients in Ileal conduit group, 46.2% in Mainz pouch II group and 50.0% in Ileal neobladder group. In Mainz pouch II group 92.3% of the patients achieved daytime continence and 84.6% achieved night time continence 3 to 6 months after surgery. In Ileal neobladder group, 75.0% patients achieved day time continence and 50.0% achieved night time continence 3 to 6 months after surgery. Patient satisfaction and overall quality of life was described 'Good' by majority of patients in Ileal conduit group and 'Very Good' by majority of patients in Mainz pouch II group and Ileal neobladder group. CONCLUSION: There are inherited advantages and disadvantages to each form of urinary diversion and patient selection is important to identify the most appropriate method of diversion for an individual.