Obesity and COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Unit

In late 2019, a novel coronavirus, termed SARS-CoV, was identified as a serious pathogen, leading to severe disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a portion of infected individuals. The virus spreads rapidly, leading to a worldwide pandemic by early 2020. As the medical community gained a better understanding of the risk factors for severe COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, it became apparent that obese patients numbered among those at risk for severe disease, regardless of age and comorbidities. Numerous investigations during the pandemic and extrapolation of data from obese patients with non-COVID related ARDS have attempted to increase understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and care of obese patients with severe COVID-19. Despite this growing body of research, many questions remain regarding the exact mechanisms placing this population at risk and the optimal management strategies for severe COVID-19 associated respiratory failure in obese patients.