The Effect of Body Mass Index on the Mortality of Patients Followed up in the Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19 Diagnosis

Objective: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues its effect worldwide. Studies that examine the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 have reported inconsistent results. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of BMI on severe COVID-19 and mortality to resolve this uncertainty between BMI and COVID-19. Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study and was conducted by analyzing data from 219 patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who were followed up at University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital Training and Research Hospital between March 15, 2021, and August 15, 2021. Results: Patients were divided into two groups as obese (n=53; 24.2%) and nonobese (n=166; 75.8%) patients. Males were more prevalent in the obese group, whereas females were more prevalent in the nonobese group. The incidence of diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was found higher in patients with obesity than those without obesity (p<0.005). Disease severity scores calculated after the intensive care unit (ICU) admission were similar in both groups. The incidence of arterial and central venous catheters was found to be higher in patients with obesity (p<0.05). The incidence of acute kidney injury was found to be more prevalent in patients with obesity (p<0.05). The Ppeak was higher in patients with obesity in the mechanical ventilator parameters; however, their tidal volume was found to be lower (p<0.05). Mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay were observed to be higher in patients with obesity (p<0.05). Mortality rates were similar in patient with obesity (n=83; 50%) and without (n=27; 50.9%). Conclusion: Our research results revealed similar ICU scores and laboratory values; however, patients with obesity had longer ICU stay and mechanical ventilation periods. Further, no relationship was found between BMI and mortality.