Correlation of Measurable Body Fat and Muscle Composition Parameters and Visceral Adipose Tissue on Computed Tomography with COVID-19 Severity

Abstract

Background/Aims: Obesity increases the risk of having COVID-19. To evaluate the relationship between body fat, muscle composition, and visceral adipose tissue on computed tomography (CT) with COVID-19 outcome. Materials and Methods: 149 patients were included who had chest CT and a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test. We measured the epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) and liver density (LD), thoracic subcutaneous adipose tissue /pectoralis major (TSAT/PMJ), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue /psoas major muscle (ASAT/PSM), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue/erector spina muscle (ASAT/ESM) thickness ratios from thorax CT. Lymphocyte, platelet, neutrophil count, lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio, and CRP were recorded. Results: The mean EAT was high in the patients with a poor clinical course (in severe patients: 7.06±2.39 mm, in critical patients: 7.89±2.08 mm). The mean EAT of the ICU group was 7.70±2.14 mm, it was 8.50±2.10 mm in the deceased patients. TSAT/PMJ was lower in deceased patients (0.90±0.36, p=0.038). ASAT/PSM and ASAT/ESM were also higher in the moderate group (2,27±1,60 and 0,51±0,25) (p=0.003. and p=0.019) than mild one (1.59±1.80, and 0.40±0.26). There was no difference in terms of DM, malignancy, or gender. Conclusion: EAT was high in ICU-admitted and deceased patients and can be used as a predictor of poor prognosis.