[Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with morbid obesity: weight loss influence].
BACKGROUND
We studied the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with morbid obesity and analyzed the influence of weight loss achieved through diet on these factors. We also evaluated the influence of gender on the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and on its response to diet.


METHODS
An anthropometric evaluation was performed in patients with morbid obesity (23 men and 36 women). The presence of cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated (fibrinogen, blood pressure, glucose metabolism determination by means of oral glucose tolerance test, complete lipid profile, sleep apnea syndrome), before and after following, on an alternative fashion, very-low calorie and low-calorie diets. The comparison was made with the t-test for paired samples.


RESULTS
A very significant weight loss was achieved in our patients, particularly in men (decrease of 33.4 kg, 95% CI: 26.9 to 39.8). This was accompanied by a reduction in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in men, in whom the body fat distribution improved significantly (decrease in waist: 24.8 cm, 95% CI 18.4 to 36.5), as well as the lipid profile including triglycerides, VLDLc, HDLc and B100 apoprotein.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with morbid obesity have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. A significant reduction of this prevalence can be achieved with diet during one year. This improvement is particularly significant in men.
Solá Izquierdo
Eva
E
Sección de Endocrinología, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España.
Morillas Ariño
Carlos
C
Garzón Pastor
Sandra
S
Royo Taberner
Rocío
R
Núñez Tortajada
Agapito
A
Bautista Rentero
Daniel
D
Hernández Mijares
Antonio
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015431:Weight Loss