TY - JOUR
T1 - Associations between obesity, a composite risk score for probable long COVID, and sleep problems in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated individuals
AU - Xue, Pei
AU - Merikanto, Ilona
AU - Delale, Eva A.
AU - Bjelajac, Adrijana
AU - Yordanova, Juliana
AU - Chan, Rachel N.Y.
AU - Korman, Maria
AU - Mota-Rolim, Sérgio A.
AU - Landtblom, Anne Marie
AU - Matsui, Kentaro
AU - Reis, Catia
AU - Penzel, Thomas
AU - Inoue, Yuichi
AU - Nadorff, Michael R.
AU - Holzinger, Brigitte
AU - Morin, Charles M.
AU - Espie, Colin A.
AU - Plazzi, Giuseppe
AU - De Gennaro, Luigi
AU - Chung, Frances
AU - Bjorvatn, Bjørn
AU - Wing, Yun Kwok
AU - Dauvilliers, Yves
AU - Partinen, Markku
AU - Benedict, Christian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Background: Preliminary data suggests that obesity might hasten the decline in mRNA vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2. However, whether this renders individuals with obesity more susceptible to long COVID symptoms post-vaccination remains uncertain. Given sleep’s critical role in immunity, exploring the associations between obesity, probable long COVID symptoms, and sleep disturbances is essential. Methods: We analyzed data from a survey of 5919 adults aged 18 to 89, all of whom received two SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations. Participants were categorized into normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups based on ethnicity-specific BMI cutoffs. The probability of long COVID was evaluated using the Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) score, as our survey did not permit confirmation of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection through methods such as antibody testing. Additionally, sleep patterns were assessed through questionnaires. Results: Participants with obesity exhibited a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) of having a PASC score of 12 or higher, indicative of probable long COVID in our study, compared to those with normal weight (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.28). No significant difference was observed for overweight individuals (OR: 0.92 [95% CI: 0.63, 1.33]). Both obesity and probable long COVID were associated with increased odds of experiencing a heightened sleep burden, such as the presence of obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia (P < 0.001). However, no significant interaction between BMI and probable long COVID status was found. Conclusions: Even post-vaccination, individuals with obesity may encounter a heightened risk of experiencing prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. However, confirming our observations necessitates comprehensive studies incorporating rigorous COVID infection testing, such as antibody assays - unavailable in our anonymous survey. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the correlation between probable long COVID and sleep disturbances appears to be independent of BMI.
AB - Background: Preliminary data suggests that obesity might hasten the decline in mRNA vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2. However, whether this renders individuals with obesity more susceptible to long COVID symptoms post-vaccination remains uncertain. Given sleep’s critical role in immunity, exploring the associations between obesity, probable long COVID symptoms, and sleep disturbances is essential. Methods: We analyzed data from a survey of 5919 adults aged 18 to 89, all of whom received two SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations. Participants were categorized into normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups based on ethnicity-specific BMI cutoffs. The probability of long COVID was evaluated using the Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) score, as our survey did not permit confirmation of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection through methods such as antibody testing. Additionally, sleep patterns were assessed through questionnaires. Results: Participants with obesity exhibited a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) of having a PASC score of 12 or higher, indicative of probable long COVID in our study, compared to those with normal weight (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.28). No significant difference was observed for overweight individuals (OR: 0.92 [95% CI: 0.63, 1.33]). Both obesity and probable long COVID were associated with increased odds of experiencing a heightened sleep burden, such as the presence of obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia (P < 0.001). However, no significant interaction between BMI and probable long COVID status was found. Conclusions: Even post-vaccination, individuals with obesity may encounter a heightened risk of experiencing prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. However, confirming our observations necessitates comprehensive studies incorporating rigorous COVID infection testing, such as antibody assays - unavailable in our anonymous survey. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the correlation between probable long COVID and sleep disturbances appears to be independent of BMI.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85195414064
U2 - 10.1038/s41366-024-01556-w
DO - 10.1038/s41366-024-01556-w
M3 - Article
C2 - 38849462
AN - SCOPUS:85195414064
SN - 0307-0565
VL - 48
SP - 1300
EP - 1306
JO - International Journal of Obesity
JF - International Journal of Obesity
IS - 9
ER -
