Interleukin 6 (IL6) as a potential interplaying factor between obesity and COVID-19 outcome

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Hafez W.; Nasa P.; Rashid A.; Saleh H.; Abuelsaoud H.M.; Abdelshakour M.; Nashef Z.; Abazid R.R.; Ahmed A.B.; Ahmed S.; Gador M.; Faheem Y.; John S.; Mohamed A.A.; Abdoh A.

Journal: Informatics in Medicine Unlocked

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Publication Date: 2024

Volume / Issue: Volume 45

Article No.: 101455

ISSN: 23529148

DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2024.101455

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Hafez W., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Internal Medicine Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, The National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Cairo Governorate, 12622, Egypt; Nasa P., NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Rashid A., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Saleh H., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Abuelsaoud H.M., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Abdelshakour M., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Nashef Z., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Abazid R.R., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Ahmed A.B., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Ahmed S., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Gador M., NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Faheem Y., Internship Program, NMC Royal Hospital, Khaifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; John S., Internship Program, NMC Royal Hospital, Khaifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Mohamed A.A., Research Observation Program, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Intensive Care Unit, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warraq Al Arab, Al Warak, Giza Governorate, 3863130, Egypt; Abdoh A., Research Observation Program, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, Bahrain

Abstract

Background: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and severe COVID-19. Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a key mediator of cytokine storm hyperinflammation. However, it is unknown if IL6 is involved in the link between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: Observational retrospective research was conducted between September 8, 2020, and September 30, 2021. BMI-varying COVID-19 patient data were collected. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, and laboratory variables were assessed. COVID-19 outcomes were examined in relation to body mass index () and IL6 levels. Results: More than half of the participants (60.4 %) were elderly individuals. A quarter of the study population was non-obese, and 6.6 % had 3rd-degree obesity. Individuals with normal weight and class I obesity had higher IL-6 levels (70.1 % and 75.6 %, respectively). Severe cases were more likely to have higher IL-6 levels than non-severe cases (p < 0.05, OR = 7.221). However, we did not find a significant association between BMI and odds of mortality (p = 0.05). Conclusion: People with severe COVID-19 illness, class 1 obesity, and those requiring intensive care unit admission had considerably higher levels of IL6, however our study found no association between BMI categories and mortality. Further research is required to investigate the interplay between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. © 2024 The Authors

Keywords

Body mass index; COVID-19; Interleukin 6; Mortality; Obesity; Public health; Severity; adult; aged; Article; body mass; child; coronavirus disease 2019; cytokine storm; demographics; disease association; female; human; hyperinflammation; intensive care unit; major clinical study; male; observational study; retrospective study; United Arab Emirates

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 3

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