Association of obesity and its genetic predisposition with the risk of severe COVID-19: Analysis of population-based cohort data.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We aimed to examine the associations of obesity-related traits (body mass index [BMI], central obesity) and their genetic predisposition with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in a population-based data.

Research design and methods

We analyzed data from 489,769 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank-a population-based cohort study. The exposures of interest are BMI categories and central obesity (e.g., larger waist circumference). Using genome-wide genotyping data, we also computed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) that represent an individual's overall genetic risk for each obesity trait. The outcome was severe COVID-19, defined by hospitalization for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.

Results

Of 489,769 individuals, 33% were normal weight (BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²

SUBMITTER: Zhu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7442576 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature