Reduced COVID-19 severity elicited by weight loss from a medically supervised ketogenic diet in a geographically diverse ambulatory population with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Issue 2 (1st July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volk, Brittanie M; Roberts, Caroline G P; VanTieghem, Michelle; George, M Patricia; Adams, Rebecca N; Athinarayanan, Shaminie J; McKenzie, Amy L
• Is Part Of: BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. Volume 5:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2022-07-01
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Nutritional treatment -- Diabetes mellitus -- Weight management; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Lifestyles -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2022-000444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-5542

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate factors associated with COVID-19 severity in ambulatory individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity treated with a medically supervised ketogenic diet (MSKD). Research design and methods: In this real-world, retrospective, exploratory analysis, multivariate modelling was used to assess clinical factors associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in a geographically diverse outpatient population with T2DM treated virtually. Results: Leading up to COVID-19 onset, non-hospitalised patients had higher average ketones (0.64 vs 0.52 mmol/L; p=0.016) and greater weight loss (6.8% vs 4.2%; p=0.009) compared with those hospitalised. Greater weight loss was significantly associated with lower likelihood of hospitalisation (adjusted OR=0.91, p=0.005), controlling for enrolment demographics and medical characteristics. Conclusions: Therapies such as MSKD, which elicit rapid, significant weight loss, may favourably impact COVID-19 hospitalisation rate and severity in individuals with T2DM and obesity.