PhD Scientific Days 2025

Poster Session II. - O: Health Sciences

Synergistic Impact of Metabolic Syndrome Components on COVID-19 Outcomes: A Cohort Analysis of 1,034 Cases

Name of the presenter

Köves-Dobszai Dalma

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Centre for Translational Medicine

Authors

Dalma Dobszai¹, Luca Havelda¹, Eszter Ágnes Szalai¹, Zsanett Macht-Szalai², Vivien Vass², Andrea Szentesi², Péter Hegyi¹

1: Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
2: Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

Text of the abstract

Introduction:
Metabolic syndrome components — obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia — are known to increase the risk of severe outcomes in various diseases. Their combined effect on the prognosis of COVID-19, however, has not been comprehensively evaluated.
Aim:
To investigate the individual and synergistic impact of metabolic syndrome factors on the severity and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Methods:
Data were analyzed from the COVID-19 Registry, including 1,034 adult SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. The primary exposures were the presence of metabolic syndrome components, and outcomes included disease severity, in-hospital mortality, ICU admission and the need for mechanical ventilation. Analyses were performed to assess synergistic relationships and combined effects.
Results:
Preliminary findings suggest a linear correlation between the number of metabolic syndrome components and worsened COVID-19 outcomes. Patients with multiple risk factors were significantly more likely to develop the severe or critical form of the disease and showed higher mortality rates. A subgroup analysis comparing patients with and without individual metabolic syndrome components revealed marked differences in clinical outcomes, including mortality. Diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with the highest mortality rates (21.5% and 25.7%, respectively). Patients with hypertension and obesity also showed elevated mortality (20.4% and 12.5%), and over 90% experienced at least moderately severe disease. In all groups, the presence of the comorbidity significantly increased the risk of critical illness compared to patients without the condition.
Conclusion:
The presence of multiple metabolic syndrome components has a cumulative negative effect on the clinical course of COVID-19. These findings highlight the need for early risk stratification and tailored therapeutic strategies for patients with underlying metabolic disorders in future pandemics.

Funding was provided by the Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University and EKÖP-2024-86 of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund to Dalma Dobszai. The sponsors had no role in the design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and abstract preparation.