Weight gain after acute deep venous thrombosis: a prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
The onset of acute disorders often results in a significant reduction in physical exercise, thus predisposing to further increase in body weight. Weight gain is strongly associated with an increase in metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess weight changes occurring after an episode of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
To compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity at baseline and 6 months after acute DVT, and to compare weight changes between patients with DVT treated in hospital or at home over a similar time frame, we evaluated 72 patients (mean age 59.8+/-15.3 years, 34 men and 38 females) with objectively diagnosed DVT. Body mass index (BMI) was recorded at baseline and at 6 months; waist circumference was recorded at 6 months to assess individual patterns of body fat distribution.


RESULTS
At baseline, BMI was 27.6+/-4.6 kg/m(2). Overweight and obesity were observed in 33 (45.8%) and 19 (26.4%) patients, respectively. After 6 months, BMI was 28.7+/-5.0 kg/m(2). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 44.4% and 32%, respectively; visceral pattern of body fat distribution was found in 64.8% of overweight or obese patients. Mean weight gain was 7.12%; inpatients (n=42) showed a higher weight gain than outpatients (n=30) (8.6% and 4.9%, respectively, p=0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a significant weight gain after acute DVT. This weight gain was more marked in hospitalised patients than in outpatients. Our findings suggest that weight control should be considered in all patients with acute DVT.
Ageno
Walter
W
Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale di Circolo, University of Insubria, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. agewal@yahoo.com
Piantanida
Eliana
E
Dentali
Francesco
F
Mera
Valentina
V
Squizzato
Alessandro
A
Marchesi
Chiara
C
Steidl
Luigi
L
Venco
Achille
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D010045:Outpatients; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015430:Weight Gain