{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Evaluating the potential mediating role of ADAMTS13 activity in the relationship between obesity and the severity of COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.
{Author}: Hafez W;Rashid A;Abuelsaoud HM;Jose M;Kishk S;Gador M;Emoshe T;Abdulaal F;Nair N;Ahmad M;Rashid VJ;Faheem Y;John S;Ahmed S;Daraghmi A;Soliman R;Abdelrahman A;Mohamed AA;Ghanem M;
{Journal}: Medicine (Baltimore)
{Volume}: 103
{Issue}: 15
{Year}: 2024 Apr 12
{Factor}: 1.817
{DOI}: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037806
{Abstract}: Obesity and low enzyme A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motif-13 (ADAMTS13) activity have been linked to poor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given that obesity may influence ADAMTS13 activity, it is feasible; however, it remains unclear whether ADAMTS13 activity acts as a mediator between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. We investigated the link between body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 outcomes, using ADAMTS13 activity as a mediator. ADAMTS13 activity was measured in 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. BMI, ADAMTS13 activity, and COVID-19 outcomes were assessed. Obese patients had a high odds ratio for low ADAMTS13 levels. When different levels of ADAMTS13 activity were considered, the severity of COVID-19 in obese patients was 4.5 times that in the normal BMI group. Furthermore, increased coagulopathy indicators correlated with low ADAMTS13 activity. Patients with elevated ALT and AST levels showed a 3 to 4-fold increase in the chances of low ADAMTS13 activity (OR:3.19, 95% CI:1.22-8.90, P = .021; OR:2.17, 95% CI:0.91-5.27, P = .082, respectively). When ADAMTS13 activity was considered, obese patients had greater COVID-19 severity and slower viral clearance than those with normal BMI. Low ADAMTS13 activity and impaired liver function are associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. These findings encourage researchers to use molecular component identification to study the effects of obesity on the von Willebrand factor (VWF)/ADAMTS13 axis, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and outcomes.