Overweight/obesity as the potentially most important lifestyle factor associated with signs of pneumonia in COVID-19


Authors: Vanessa Sacco ,Barbara Rauch ,Christina Gar,Stefanie Haschka,Anne L. Potzel,Stefanie Kern-Matschilles,Friederike Banning,Irina Benz,Mandy Meisel,Jochen Seissler,Andreas Lechner  Published: November 18, 2020 Abstract Objective The occurrence of pneumonia separates severe cases of COVID-19 from the majority of cases with mild disease. However, the factors determining whether or not pneumonia develops remain to be fully uncovered. We therefore explored the […]

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19


COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, Nature (2021) Abstract The genetic makeup of an individual contributes to susceptibility and response to viral infection. While environmental, clinical and social factors play a role in exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease severity1,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and […]

Body mass index and severity/fatality from coronavirus disease 2019: A nationwide epidemiological study in Korea


Authors: In Sook Kang , Kyoung Ae Kong Published: June 22, 2021 Abstract Obesity has been reported as a risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in recent studies. However, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 severity and fatality are unclear. Research design and methods This study included 4,141 COVID-19 patients who […]

Associations between body-mass index and COVID-19 severity in 6·9 million people in England: a prospective, community-based, cohort study


Authors: Min Gao, MSc *, Carmen Piernas, PhD  , Nerys M Astbury, PhD, Prof Julia Hippisley-Cox, FRCPProf Stephen O’Rahilly, FRS, Prof Paul Aveyard, FRCGP † Summary Background Obesity is a major risk factor for adverse outcomes after infection with SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to examine this association, including interactions with demographic and behavioural characteristics, type 2 diabetes, and other […]

Lack of antibodies against seasonal coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein identifies patients at risk of critical COVID-19


Authors: MartinDugasa1TanjaGrote-Westrickb1UtaMerledMichaelaFontenaylmAndreas E.KremerhFrankHansesijRichardVollenbergcEvaLorentzenbShilpaTiwari-BecklerdJérômeDucheminlSyrineEllouzelMarcelVetterhJuliaFürsthPhilippSchusterkTobiasBrixaClaudia M.DenkingerfgCarstenMüller-TidoweHartmutSchmidtc…JoachimKühnb1 Highlights Does prior infection with seasonal human coronavirus OC43 protect against critical COVID-19?• Findings: In an international multi-center study inpatients without anti-HCoV OC43 NP antibodies had an increased risk of critical disease.• Meaning: Prior infections with seasonal HCoV OC43 have a protective effect against critical COVID-19. Abstract Background The vast majority of COVID-19 patients experience […]

Attributes and predictors of long COVID


Authors: Carole H. Sudre, Benjamin Murray, Claire J. Steves Abstract Reports of long-lasting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms, the so-called ‘long COVID’, are rising but little is known about prevalence, risk factors or whether it is possible to predict a protracted course early in the disease. We analyzed data from 4,182 incident cases of COVID-19 in which […]