Research by German scientists
Research by German scientists has revealed an association between SARS-CoV-2 and factors such as BMI, age, and ABO blood group. The study shows that hospitalizations risk due to SARS-CoV-2 were moderate among the healthy working population. BMI and age remained significant risk factors. During the pandemic, DKMS gemeinnützige GmbH (a major stem cell donor registry) launched a large population-based study to identify risk factors. The study participants were aged between 18-61 years. Participants testing positive for COVID-19 were divided into severe, mild, and asymptomatic.
The results of the study indicated that those with higher BMI had a higher risk of hospitalization. Participants with BMI 35-40 kg/mg2 had a 2.1-fold higher risk compared to a normal-weight person aged 20 years and the risk was 11.2 fold higher when compared to a normal-weight person aged 55 years. Participants aged 55-61 years had a 5.3-fold greater risk of hospitalization. Blood group A was associated with a 1.5-fold higher risk for contracting COVID-19 when compared to blood group O. However, blood group A did not raise the risk of severe COVID-19. A1 and A2 phenotypes had similar rates of positive testing.