COVID News Digest - January 2022

We are compiling stories from credible sources representing all regions of the world, including academic articles, position statements and mainstream news, amongst others.

Study shows people with metabolic syndrome have higher risk of Covid-19-related death. – heath24

COVID-19 patients with metabolic syndrome – including those with obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes – are at greater risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death, a study has found. Researchers looked at data from 181 hospitals in 26 countries, from 15 February 2020 to 18 February 2021. Death rates in people with metabolic syndrome were found to be 20% higher than those without the condition.

Association of Weight Loss Achieved Through Metabolic Surgery With Risk and Severity of COVID-19 Infection – Jama Surgery

Prior substantial weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery improved outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients, according to a recent study. 11,809 patients with obesity were involved in the study, in which previous weight loss surgery was associated with a 49% lower risk of hospitalisation.

Two new drugs added to WHO list of COVID-19 therapies – Pharmaphorum

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Eli Lilly’s Baricitinib – a Janus kinase inhibitor administered with corticosteroids – to treat patients with severe COVID-19, and GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology’s sotrovimab – a monoclonal antibody – for individuals with a mild or moderate form of the illness who are at increased risk of hospital admission. This includes people with obesity. The recommendations were made in new guidelines published in the British Medical Journal.

UNICEF: COVID-19 Worsens ‘Double Burden’ Of Child Malnutrition In Indonesia – Forbes

Children in Indonesia are lacking access to good nutrition due to various impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, according to two new UNICEF reports. Family incomes have fallen since the onset of national restrictions, resulting in 66% of families worrying about food (an increase of more than 50% since 2018), while nutrition services have been halted or disrupted due to resources being diverted to the pandemic response. Many young children are not getting enough to eat, leading to stunting and wasting. Others are at risk of overweight and obesity due to lockdown curbs on activities and an increase in fast food consumption and unbalanced diets.

Weight gain, weight management and medical care for individuals living with overweight and obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic (EPOCH Study) – Wiley Online Library

The latest Obesity Science and Practice journal includes the EPOCH study, which demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on patient care and weight management strategies for people living with overweight and obesity. Just 25% of respondents to an online survey were happy with the obesity care available to them. Over half reported gaining weight during the pandemic, and most felt less motivated to eat healthily or exercise. The findings demonstrate the importance of restoring services and interventions focused on the predictors of weight gain.

No impact of diabetes, glycemic control on COVID-19 vaccine response – medwire News

A new study shows no association between glycaemic control and antibody levels in people receiving a vaccine for COVID-19. 75 people with type 1 diabetes and 75 with type 2 diabetes were tested in the COVAC-DM study, receiving two doses of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, alongside 86 healthy controls. The findings contradict an earlier CAVEAT study which suggested poor glycaemic control negatively affects antibody response. The stated limitations of the latest study include the fact that most people in the healthy control group received a different vaccine to those in the diabetes groups, and a lack of information on the T-cell response.

Public health services at risk amid funding uncertainty and Omicron pressures - Local Government Association

The LGA has warned that uncertainty over funding is putting vital public health services - including obesity management initiatives - at risk in the UK. Councils are still waiting to learn about April’s Public Health Grant funding allocations from the government, making decision-making over contract renewals difficult. “Demand for vital treatment for drug and alcohol misuse, obesity, mental health and children’s health is rising and at risk of not being met, while we are still grappling with the impact of the Omicron surge,” said Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board. “The Government should act now and publish councils’ public health grant without further delay, so that we can get on with planning ahead for an anticipated post-COVID surge in requests for help.”

New MRI technology to expand imaging access for patients with implanted medical devices and obesity – Medical Life Sciences News

A new full-body MRI for patient care with a lower magnetic field strength and larger opening is set to improve access for patients with implanted medical devices, obesity and claustrophobia. Developed by Siemens with researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and College of Engineering, the FDA-approved apparatus is now in installed at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.