Association of excess visceral fat and severe illness in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Japan: a retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
High BMI was not an independent risk factor for COVID-19 severe illness in hospitalized patients in Japan, whereas excess VF significantly influenced severe illness, especially in patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2.
Study context
- Population
- Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with body mass index (BMI) and body composition data incl. Visceral fat (VF), tertiary care hospital, Japan; median age 56.0 years, 71.8% males
- Participants
- 550 patients
- Exposure
- Quartiles of BMI and of visceral fat
- Outcome
- Severe illness, including death, due to COVID-19
- Follow-up
- During hospitalization
Methodological detailssingle tertiary care hospital, multivariate logistic regression
- Single tertiary care hospital
- Multivariate logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
COVID-19 severe illness
Odds ratio (95% CI)P value
BMI Q4vs BMI Q1
1.03(0.37–2.86)
P = 0.95VF Q3vs VF Q1
2.68(1.01–7.11)
P = 0.04VF Q4vs VF Q1
3.66(1.30–10.26)
P = 0.01- Severe illness during hospitalization, overall
- 82 (14.9%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
VF and severe illness stratified by BMI
- Positive association of VF with severe illness only in the BMI < 25 kg/m² group
- Adjusted for covariates
Original publication
Association of excess visceral fat and severe illness in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Japan: a retrospective cohort study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 17 January 2024. doi:10.
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