Visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio predicts short-term mortality in patients with Covid 19. A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of body composition parameters with outcomes in Covid-19.

METHODS

173 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 infection in 6 European centers were included in this retrospective study. Measurements were performed at L3-level and comprised skeletal muscle index (SMI), muscle density (MD), and adipose tissue measurements [visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), visceral-to-subcutaneous-adipose-tissue-area-ratio (VSR)]. The association with mortality, the need for intubation (MV), and the need for admission to ICU within 30 days were evaluated.

RESULTS

Higher SAT density was associated with a greater risk of MV (OR = 1.071, 95%CI=(1.034;1.110), < 0.001). Higher VAT density was associated with admission to ICU (OR = 1.068, 95%CI=(1.029;1.109), < 0.001). Higher MD was a protective factor for MV and ICU admission (OR = 0.914, 95%CI=(0.870;0.960), < 0.001; OR = 0.882, 95%CI=(0.832;0.934), = 0.028). Higher VSR was associated with mortality (OR = 2.147, 95%CI=(1.022;4.512), = 0.044). Male sex showed the strongest influence on the risk of ICU admission and MV. SMI was not associated with either parameter.

CONCLUSION

In patients hospitalized for Covid-19 infection, higher VSR seems to be a strong prognostic factor of short-term mortality. Weak associations with clinical course were found for MD and adipose tissue measurements. Male sex was the strongest prognostic factor of adverse clinical course.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

VSR is a prognostic biomarker for 30-day mortality in patients hospitalized for Covid-19 disease.