Dataset Information

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), 43% overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and 24% obese (≥30.0 kg/m²). The UK Biobank identified 641 patients with severe COVID-19. Compared to adults with normal weight, those with a higher BMI had a dose-response increases in the risk of severe COVID-19, with the following adjusted ORs: for 25.0-29.9 kg/m², 1.40 (95%CI 1.14-1.73; P = 0.002); for 30.0-34.9 kg/m², 1.73 (95%CI 1.36-2.20; P < 0.001); for 35.0-39.9 kg/m², 2.82 (95%CI 2.08-3.83; P < 0.001); and for ≥40.0 kg/m², 3.30 (95%CI 2.17-5.03; P < 0.001). Likewise, central obesity was associated with significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, larger PRS for BMI was associated with higher risk of outcome (adjusted OR per BMI PRS Z-score 1.14, 95%CI 1.05-1.24; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

In this large population-based cohort, individuals with more-severe obesity, central obesity, or genetic predisposition for obesity are at higher risk of developing severe-COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Zhu Z

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

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

Zhu Zhaozhong Z Hasegawa Kohei K Ma Baoshan B Fujiogi Michimasa M Camargo Carlos A CA Liang Liming L

Metabolism: clinical and experimental 20200822

<h4>Objective</h4>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.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>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 al ...[more]

PMID: 32835759

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Project description:BackgroundPatients with impaired kidney function were found at a high risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in many observational, cross-sectional, and hospital-based studies, but evidence from large-scale prospective cohorts has been lacking. We aimed to examine the association of kidney function-related biomarkers and their genetic predisposition with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in population-based data.MethodsWe analyzed data from UK Biobank to examine the prospective association of abnormal kidney function biomarkers with severe COVID-19, defined by laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations. Using genotype data, we constructed polygenic risk scores (PRS) to represent an individual's overall genetic risk for these biomarkers. We also identified tipping points where the risk of severe COVID-19 began to increase significantly for each biomarker.ResultsOf the 502,506 adults, 1650 (0.32%) were identified as severe COVID-19, before August 12, 2020. High levels of cystatin C (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2-1.5; FDR = 1.5 × 10-5 ), serum creatinine (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.1; p = 3.5 × 10-4 ; FDR = 3.5 × 10-4 ), microalbuminuria (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6; FDR = 4 × 10-4 ), and UACR (urinary albumin creatinine ratio; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6; p = 3.5 × 10-4 ; FDR = 3.5 × 10-4 ) were found significantly associated with severe COVID-19. Individuals with top 10% of PRS for elevated cystatin C, urate, and microalbuminuria had 28% to 43% higher risks of severe COVID-19 than individuals with bottom 30% PRS (p < 0.05). Tipping-point analyses further supported that severe COVID-19 could occur even when the values of cystatin C, urate (male), and microalbuminuria were within their normal value ranges (OR >1.1, p < 0.05).ConclusionsFindings from this study might point to new directions for clinicians and policymakers in optimizing risk-stratification among patients based on polygenic risk estimation and tipping points of kidney function markers. Our results call for further investigation to develop a better strategy to prevent severe COVID-19 outcomes among patients with genetic predisposition to impaired kidney function. These findings could provide a new tool for clinicians and policymakers in the future especially if we need to live with COVID-19 for a long time.

Dataset Information

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

Objective

Research design and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

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

Similar Datasets

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