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Category: Coronavirus

Covid-19 Pandemic and Obesity

April 12, 2020 7:44 pm

We have now seen several articles with data collection regarding patients with obesity and COVID-19 being at greater risk of hospitalization.  We can look at metabolic syndrome associated with obesity as a risk factor also.

We have all been in physical isolation due to Covid-19 pandemic. The strategy of minimizing contact has worked. The data is clear when comparing information from states that instituted an aggressive containment plans compared to those who have not. This shows a sigifnicat flattening of the curve in California for example.

The CDC publishes the Morbidity and Mortality Weekle Report (MMWR) . The latest publushed summary (as of date of publucation of this blog) provides an insight to the risk factors of hospitalization.

The above table outlines the underlying conditions of those hospitalized with Covid-19.

Concerning to see that a respiratory virus is more likely to hospitalize those with Obesity, Diabetes and hypertension at a higher rate than lung and pulmonary related conditions.

Let us recognize that this is only a summary collected data. Therefore, there are limitatation to making any assumption of conclusion based on this information.

With those limitation aknowldged, and relying on our obesity related comobidities, we can make a few conclusions:

Not surprising, Obesity as with other diseases, compounds Covid-19 exposure and infection. Diabates is also a risk factor. There are no indepth information available on the diabetic patients. There is now data showing superior outcome of diabetes resoultion with weight loss surgery compared ro medical treatment.

 

Potential Treatment for Coronavirus-19

March 15, 2020 7:34 pm

There are a number of possible medications (Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin) being reported in the literature. They are mostly small series and not proven scientifically. Some of the medications that are being discussed in the media in fact have significant and deadly side effects. The use of these medications should be avoided until and unless some preliminary data shows any improvement. There are numerous pathways and approaches being considered for both vaccines and medications for the treatment of Coronavirus-19. One of the approaches is to try to minimize and mute the inflammation that is caused by the virus entering the lung cells leading to destructive damage of the lung tissue. There are a number of medications in this class, however, most of them have significant side effects. Baricitinib, a medication currently available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis may be such a molecule.