Weight loss treatment for COVID-19 in patients with NCDs: a pilot prospective clinical trial

Oshakbayev K. Durmanova A. Zhankalova Z. Idrisov A. Bedelbayeva G. Gazaliyeva M. Nabiyev A. Tordai A. Dukenbayeva B.
December 2024 Nature Research

Scientific Reports
2024 #14 Issue 1

COVID-19 comorbid with noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) complicates the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, and increases the mortality rate. The aim is to evaluate the effects of a restricted diet on clinical/laboratory inflammation and metabolic profile, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and body composition in patients with COVID-19 comorbid with NCDs. We conducted a 6-week open, pilot prospective controlled clinical trial. The study included 70 adult patients with COVID-19 comorbid with type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Interventions: a restricted diet including calorie restriction, hot water drinking, walking, and sexual self-restraint. Primary endpoints: COVID-19 diagnosis by detecting SARS-CoV-2 genome by RT-PCR; weight loss in Main group; body temperature; C-reactive protein. Secondary endpoints: the number of white blood cells; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; adverse effects during treatment; fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP); blood lipids; ALT/AST, chest CT-scan. In Main group, patients with overweight lost weight from baseline (− 12.4%; P < 0.0001); 2.9% in Main group and 7.2% in Controls were positive for COVID-19 (RR: 0.41, CI: 0.04–4.31; P = 0.22) on the 14th day of treatment. Body temperature and C-reactive protein decreased significantly in Main group compared to Controls on day 14th of treatment (P < 0.025). Systolic/diastolic BP normalized (P < 0.025), glucose/lipids metabolism (P < 0.025); ALT/AST normalized (P < 0.025), platelets increased from baseline (P < 0.025), chest CT (P < 0.025) in Main group at 14 day of treatment. The previous antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and other symptomatic medications were adequately decreased to completely stop during the weight loss treatment. Thus, the fast weight loss treatment may be beneficial for the COVID-19 patients with comorbid T2D, hypertension, and NASH over traditional medical treatment because, it improved clinical and laboratory/instrumental data on inflammation; glucose/lipid metabolism, systolic/diastolic BPs, and NASH biochemical outcomes, reactive oxygen species; and allowed patients to stop taking medications. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05635539 (02/12/2022): https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05635539?term=NCT05635539&draw=2&rank=1.

Chest CT , COVID-19 , Fast weight loss , Hypertension , Inflammation/glycemic/lipid profile , Lipid/protein oxidation , NASH , Restricted diet , Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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Internal Medicine Department, University Medical Center, Street Syganak, 46, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of General Medical Practice, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, #1, Street Tole Bi, 94, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Endocrinology, Astana Medical University, Street Beibitshilik St 49/A, Astana, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Postgraduate Education, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Street Tole Bi, 94, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Internal Medicine, Astana Medical University, Street Beibitshilik St 49/A, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Semmelweis University, Vas U. 17, Budapest, 1088, Hungary
Faculty of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
ANADETO Medical Center, St. Kerey, Zhanibek Khans, 22, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Internal Medicine Department
Department of General Medical Practice
Department of Endocrinology
Faculty of Postgraduate Education
Faculty of Internal Medicine
Department of Transfusion Medicine
Faculty of Pathology and Forensic Medicine
ANADETO Medical Center

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