Obésité et infection par la COVID-19 : une liaison dangereuse

Obesity is a recognized risk factor for severe forms of COVID-19. Indeed, there is a high prevalence of obesity among patients hospitalized for severe forms of COVID-19. In addition, several studies have reported that obesity increases the risk of admission to intensive care units, especially in patients below 75 years old. Obesity also increases the risk of intubation for mechanical ventilation in intensive care units and is associated with an increased risk of death from COVID-19 infection. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in the association between obesity and severe forms of COVID-19: pulmonary alterations, dysimmunity, overexpression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, pro-thrombotic and inflammatory factors and possibly alterations of the intestinal microbiota. Finally, patients who have undergone a bariatric surgery do not appear to be at increased risk of severe forms of COVID-19.