Obesity in Patients Younger Than 60 Years Is a Risk Factor for COVID-19 Hospital Admission

Abstract

To the Editor-Risk factors for infectious disease severity are determined by the pathogen, host, and environment [1]. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, includes a spectrum of illness, from asymptomatic infection [2] to severe pneumonia characterized by acute respiratory injury in about 20% of patients presenting to medical care The risk factors associated with disease severity include increased age, diabetes, immunosuppression, and organ failure Recognition of risk factors for morbidity and mortality is important to determine prevention strategies as well as to target high-risk populations for potential therapeutics.