Serious cases are more deadly among men and obese people, according to a British study



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New research published yesterday by Imperial College London found that obese men and people are less likely to survive severe covid-19 diagnoses.

According to the British Department of Health and Social Assistance, covid-19 may be more serious in the elderly and people with chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, weakened immune systems, diabetes and some types of cancer. However, little is known about how the virus exploits age, sex, and other underlying health conditions.

The study followed the cases of 16,749 patients diagnosed with covid-19 in the UK and involved researchers from three universities.

“After medical problems that aggravate the patient’s health, being male or obese (with a BMI over 30) is a significant factor associated with death in UK hospitals, a feature not seen in China, where people are less thought to be obese, “the researchers say.

The study did not identify the reasons why obese people experience more severe cases of covid-19 and die more than other groups. However, researchers believe that one cause is reduced lung function and increased inflammation in adipose tissue.

Professor Peter Openshaw of the Imperial National Heart and Lung Institute called the study “quite surprising.” “It highlights a number of crucial questions for which researchers, healthcare professionals, the public and patients seek answers. The research provides an exceptional picture of the disease and risk factors and can underpin a wide variety of research.” Openshaw says.

The study results were shared with the UK government and the World Health Organization (WHO) and are being compared with data from other countries.

The number of deaths from covid-19 in the UK rose to 26,097 on Wednesday after the government began to include deaths in households in the sum, bringing the country to third place among those with the highest number of deaths caused by the disease, only behind the United States, with 58,529 deaths, and Italy, with 27,682, although countries use different methods to count.

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