Metabolic Syndrome and Severity of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Context: Epidemics of viral respiratory diseases threaten public health and can have extra-pulmonary manifestations, in particular cardiological manifestations, with consequences in the acute phase and in the long term. Pre-existing cardiometabolic risk factors, diabetes and cardiovascular disease may contribute to adverse early clinical outcomes.Indeed, the COVID-19 epidemic reveals that the prevention of these chronic diseases, on the one hand, seems to be essential to reduce the risk of serious complications arising from these viral infections and on the other hand, to modify the risk factors integrative of metabolic syndrome.Objectives: To check the impact of metabolic syndrome on mortality in the COVID-19 in the city of Kinshasa.Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study of 100 patients hospitalized for a COVID-19 at the camp hospital Kokolo Kinshasa Lingwala during the period from June 6 to July 7, 2020. The data collection was based on a questionnaire, a clinical examination and a biological assessment.Results: Out of the 100 patients who were the subject of this study, there is predominance of the male sex (60%), with a sex ratio of 0.6 (10 men for 6 women).In addition, the median age of patients is 52 years with an interquartile range of 17.Finally, the chi-square Pearson test established a link between the severity of the COVID-19 and metabolic syndrome at the 1% (p = 0.000).Conclusion: In all patients, insulin sensitivity tends to decrease with age, but a rigorous change in lifestyle can delay or even prevent the onset of serious complications from metabolic syndrome. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a normal weight, and exercising all improve health. It would not be surprising if it would also reduce the risk of serious infections from COVID-19, in particular by limiting the onset of metabolic syndrome and its complications.