Higher Levels of C-Reactive Protein and Ferritin in Patients with Overweight and Obesity and SARS-CoV-2-Related Pneumonia

• Main Authors: Silvia Bettini, Giovanni Bucca, Caterina Sensi, Chiara Dal Prà, Roberto Fabris, Roberto Vettor, Luca Busetto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karger Publishers 2021-09-01
• Series: Obesity Facts
• Subjects: overweight; obesity; corona virus disease 19; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; c-reactive protein
• Online Access: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517851
• ISSN: 1662-4025; 1662-4033

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are associated with a more severe COronaVirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). Adipose tissue-related chronic inflammation could be a promoter for the occurrence of the cytokine storm that predicts aggravation of COVID-19. The primary aim was to investigate if this increased risk for more severe COVID-19 was associated with a higher inflammatory response. Methods: We enrolled patients <75 years old hospitalized in a medical COVID-19 ward with SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia. Patients were classified according to BMI as normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Laboratory parameters were measured at admission and every second day during the hospital stay. Results: Ninety patients (64.4% males; median age 61 years) were enrolled. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) was needed in 9% of the patients with normal weight, in 32.4% of the patients with overweight, and in 12.9% of the patients with obesity (p = 0.045). Maximal C-reactive protein (CRP) level during hospital stay was 92 (48–122) mg/L in patients with normal weight, 140 (82–265) mg/L in patients with overweight, and 117 (67–160) mg/L in patients with obesity (p = 0.037). Maximal ferritin values were 564 (403–1,379) μg/L in patients with a normal weight, 1,253 (754–2,532) μg/L in patients with overweight, and 828 (279–1,582) μg/L in patients with obesity (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Patients with overweight and obesity required more IMV and had higher peaks of CRP and ferritin than patients with normal weight during COVID-19.