Analysis of the prevalence of COVID-19 in overweight and obese individuals

• Grant number: 20/08852-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Raquel de Cássia dos Santos
• Grantee: Giovanna Uliana Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation that may impair health, it has a significant impact on the development of chronic diseases such type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and several cancers. Metabolic changes are identified in these individuals, such as chronic inflammatory status, hyperleptinemia, hyperglycemia, immunodepression, hypercoagulability, and increased expression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. COVI-19 it's a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 a betacoronavirus of single RNA first identify in December 2020 in China, since then, it has been reaching several countries, and decreed pandemic by March 2020. Studies show that the pathophysiology of the new virus includes, among other findings, an affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, cytokine storm, and systemic hypercoagulability. According to the World Obesity Federation, "obesity-related conditions seem to worsen the effect of Covid-19 ", and recent studies demonstrate that the mechanic and mainly metabolic changes of obesity can contribute to the exacerbation of the disease in obese individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, more studies are needed to certify obesity, and its comorbidities, as an isolated risk factor for COVID-19, thus, in this project we aim to analyze the prevalence of COVID-19 in overweight and obese individuals at Hospital Universitário São Francisco de Assis (HUSF), in Bragança Paulista, SP. These findings will allow elucidating the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and possibly contribute to a batter direction on these patients'care.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RODRIGUES, GIOVANNA ULIANA; BUENO CAMPOS CANELLA, PAULA RENATA; DOS SANTOS, RAQUEL DE CASSIA; RAZOLLI, DANIELA SOARES. Obesity contributes to mortality and displays alterations in calcium, urea and hemoglobin levels in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. CLINICAL NUTRITION ESPEN, v. 50, p. 4-pg., 2022-07-21. (20/08852-0)