The study by Rhian Hopkins and Ethan de Villiers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom found evidence suggesting that a higher body mass index (BMI) is a cause of serious infections.
In contrast, there is no evidence that mild hyperglycemia contributes to the likelihood of a serious infection, according to the study published in the journal Diabetologia.
“Up to one in three hospitalizations of people with diabetes are for infections and people with diabetes are twice as likely to be hospitalized with infections as the general population. They are also at high risk for re-entry,” Hopkins said.
Previous studies have found that higher BMI and poor blood sugar control are associated with serious infections.
However, these studies have been observational and therefore have not been able to demonstrate that the links are causal.
The team used data from the UK Biobank to explore the effect of higher BMI and poor blood sugar control on hospitalization for bacterial and viral infections.
Higher BMI was found to be associated with hospitalization for infections. The probability of being hospitalized with a bacterial infection increased by 30 percent for every 5-point increase in BMI.
Similarly, each five-point increase in BMI was associated with a 32 percent increase in the likelihood of a serious viral infection.
This suggested that higher BMI is one of the causes of serious bacterial and viral infections. However, mild hyperglycemia did not appear to be a cause of serious infections.
Infections are a leading cause of death and poor health, especially in people with diabetes.
According to the researchers, anyone admitted to the hospital with a serious infection is also at high risk of being admitted again with another.
While this message may be particularly relevant to people with diabetes, it also applies more broadly, they added.
In contrast, there is no evidence that mild hyperglycemia contributes to the likelihood of a serious infection, according to the study published in the journal Diabetologia.
“Up to one in three hospitalizations of people with diabetes are for infections and people with diabetes are twice as likely to be hospitalized with infections as the general population. They are also at high risk for re-entry,” Hopkins said.
Previous studies have found that higher BMI and poor blood sugar control are associated with serious infections.
However, these studies have been observational and therefore have not been able to demonstrate that the links are causal.
The team used data from the UK Biobank to explore the effect of higher BMI and poor blood sugar control on hospitalization for bacterial and viral infections.
Higher BMI was found to be associated with hospitalization for infections. The probability of being hospitalized with a bacterial infection increased by 30 percent for every 5-point increase in BMI.
Similarly, each five-point increase in BMI was associated with a 32 percent increase in the likelihood of a serious viral infection.
This suggested that higher BMI is one of the causes of serious bacterial and viral infections. However, mild hyperglycemia did not appear to be a cause of serious infections.
Infections are a leading cause of death and poor health, especially in people with diabetes.
According to the researchers, anyone admitted to the hospital with a serious infection is also at high risk of being admitted again with another.
While this message may be particularly relevant to people with diabetes, it also applies more broadly, they added.
