Researchers found a significant increase in metabolically healthy obesity among older adults hospitalized for acute COPD exacerbation between 2016 and 2020. Patients with metabolically healthy obesity faced higher odds for respiratory and cardiac complications, including pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure, compared to those without this type of obesity. Despite the increased risks, metabolically healthy obesity did not significantly impact overall mortality in these patients. The study highlights the importance of screening for metabolically healthy obesity in elderly COPD patients and suggests a multidisciplinary approach for managing both COPD and obesity-related metabolic factors to improve patient outcomes. Further investigation into the mechanisms linking metabolically healthy obesity with increased risks is needed.
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Metabolically healthy obesity heightens respiratory, cardiac complication odds in COPD
