Body mass index and intensive care unit outcomes in African American patients

Abstract

Purpose: We sought to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes among Black patients. Methods: Patients admitted to the medical ICU during 2012 were categorized into six BMI groups based on the World Health Organization criteria. ICU mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), need for and duration of mechanical ventilation and organ failure rate were assessed. Results: A total of 605 patients with mean age 58.9 ± 16.0 years were studied. Compared with those with normal BMI, obese patients had significant higher rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea diagnoses (P