Body mass index and baricitinib treatment effect in hospitalized adults with COVID-19: A secondary analysis of ACTT-2.
Heart LungJun 6, 2026 (epub)
Rachel Rigsby, Timothy G Gaulton
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This secondary analysis of the ACTT-2 randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the efficacy of baricitinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Among 942 participants, the treatment effect of baricitinib did not significantly vary with BMI, with subdistribution hazard ratios ranging from 1.11 to 1.26 across different BMI levels.
Key findings
- Subdistribution hazard ratios for baricitinib treatment effect ranged from 1.11 at BMI 20 kg/m² to 1.26 at BMI 45 kg/m².
- No significant interaction was found between BMI and treatment effect (χ²=0.22, P=.64).
- Treatment effects across four metabolic subgroups varied from 1.11 to 1.26 (χ²=0.58, P=.90).
Why it matters
Understanding how obesity influences treatment responses in critical illness is crucial for optimizing therapeutic strategies. This study suggests that BMI may not significantly alter the effectiveness of baricitinib in COVID-19 patients, which could inform treatment decisions.