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Ther Adv Respir Dis
. Jan-Dec 2021;15:17534666211025221.
doi: 10.1177/17534666211025221.
Does pre-existent physical inactivity have a role in the severity of COVID-19?
Qilin Yuan 1 , Hua-Yao Huang 2 , Xiao-Ling Chen 3 , Rong-Hua Chen 1 , Yixian Zhang 2 , Xiao-Bin Pan 4 , Jun-Nian Chen 4 , Nan Liu 5 2 , Houwei Du 6
Affiliations
- PMID: 34148444
- DOI: 10.1177/17534666211025221
Abstract
Background and aims: Physical inactivity is considered an important lifestyle factor for overweight and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the association between pre-existent physical inactivity and the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: We included 164 (61.8 ± 13.6 years) patients with COVID-19 who were admitted between 15 February and 14 March 2020 in this retrospective study. We evaluated the association between pre-existent physical inactivity and severe COVID-19 using a logistic regression model.
Results: Of 164 eligible patients with COVID-19, 103 (62.8%) were reported to be physically inactive. Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that physical inactivity was associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 6.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88-22.62]. In the multivariable regression analysis, physical inactivity remained significantly associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 (adjusted OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.12-15.14) after adjustment for age, sex, stroke, and overweight.
Conclusion: Our data showed that pre-existent physical inactivity was associated with an increased risk of experiencing severe COVID-19. Our findings indicate that people should be encouraged to keep physically active to be at a lower risk of experiencing a severe illness when COVID-19 infection seems unpredicted.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019; physical inactivity; prognosis.