Obesity is an established risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection. Until now, however, it was not known whether weight loss in obese people means that the risk of severe covid complications is decreasing? Scientists have found the answer to this question.
- American studies show that weight loss caused by bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 and disease complications
- In practice, extra kilos are associated with systemic, chronic inflammation in our body, dysfunction of the immune system and hypercoagulability, explains Prof. Rogula
- He adds that in obese patients, impaired respiratory mechanics, pulmonary, cardiac and metabolic disorders worsen the results and the patient’s condition.
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- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
The results of research carried out in 2020 by scientists from the Cleveland Clinic clearly show that weight loss after bariatric surgery in patients with a BMI of 35 or more, reduces them by 49 percent. the risk of hospitalization, by 63 percent the risk of the need to use oxygen therapy, and about 60 percent. the risk of severe COVID-19.
We talk to Prof. Tomasz Rogula – the Director of the Obesity Treatment Clinic of the Krakow Hospital in Klinach, who has been professionally associated with Clevelend Clinic for 20 years.
What is the relationship between obesity and a more severe course of COVID-19?
Obesity has been recognized as one of the main risk factors for the unfavorable clinical course of coronavirus infection. Obesity is a disease in itself, which additionally contributes to the development of other comorbidities, as a result weakening our immune system. In practice, extra pounds are associated with systemic, chronic inflammation in our body, dysfunction of the immune system and hypercoagulability. In addition, in obese patients, impaired respiratory mechanics together with concomitant pulmonary, cardiac and metabolic disorders play a significant role in the severity of COVID-19 infection, as well as contributing to the deterioration of treatment outcomes.
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Does bariatric surgery reduce the risk of more severe COVID-19?
In 2020. Interesting studies were conducted at the Clevelenad Clinic in the USA, which aimed to investigate the relationship between an effective bariatric intervention and the improvement of the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection in obese patients. It has been hypothesized that obese patients become less prone to developing severe and acute complications from COVID-19 infection following heavy weight loss through metabolic surgery. 11 thousand people participated in the cohort study. 809 obese patients.
The study included adult patients with a body mass index of 35 or greater (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in square meters) who underwent weight loss surgery between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic Health System ( CCHS). Patients in the surgical group (after bariatric surgery) were matched 1: 3 with patients who had no surgical intervention due to obesity (control group). The data source for the study was the CCHS Electronic Health Record, which showed that weight loss following bariatric surgery in patients with a BMI of 35 or more:
- • reduces by 49% the risk of hospitalization
- • reduces by 63% the risk of requiring oxygen therapy
- • reduces by 60 percent. the risk of severe COVID-19.
Based on the study, it was therefore concluded that in obese patients, weight loss or metabolic operations lead to significant and permanent weight loss and an improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors. In addition, data from observational studies following bariatric surgery show improved survival, alleviation of obesity-related inflammation, and reduced risk of cardiovascular and renal complications.
What is bariatric surgery and is it safe?
It is normal for patients to have concerns about the safety of the operation when considering bariatric surgery, like any other surgical procedure. Therefore, before making a decision, the bariatrician doctor each time analyzes the benefits and risks of surgery based on a thorough assessment of the results of the tests and consultations ordered. Patients who are not able to lose weight through a normal diet or exercise, with a body mass index of 40 or more, but also with a BMI of 35-39 kg / m2 with simultaneous coexisting diseases such as type 2 diabetes, are eligible for surgery. , hypertension, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea syndrome.
It should be emphasized that compared to the risk of living with obesity – including complications related to diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension, and an increased likelihood of premature death – the risk of bariatric surgery is minimal. While any surgical procedure carries risks, bariatric surgery has proven to be one of the safest surgeries one can undergo.
It is considered safe as well as safer compared to other elective surgery. For example, the current mortality rate after bariatric surgery is below 1%, and serious postoperative complications occur in less than 10%. patients. Most of the procedures are currently performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as: laparoscopy or with the support of the da Vinci surgical robot, which, due to the smaller surgical trauma and better visualization of the operating field, allow both a lower risk of intra- and postoperative complications and faster convalescence, but also a satisfactory effect cosmetic and no large scar.
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However, it should be remembered that bariatric procedures introduce changes in the digestive system of patients – they limit the amount of food consumed or reduce the ability to absorb nutrients, and in some cases both. For this reason, to talk about the full success of permanent weight loss, the patient must make permanent changes to his diet, as well as plan a constant regimen of physical activity, as well as make changes in his psyche. Most patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and commit to permanent weight loss see significant improvements in their overall health. Achieving a healthier weight helps them eliminate sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which ultimately leads to a longer and healthier life.
Read also:
- Thanks to the operation, she lost 70 kg. “I took off the burden of one man”
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