Obesity and related diseases: an epidemiologic study in eastern Sicily.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity in a non selected cohort of adult subjects living in eastern Sicily.


METHODS
Out of 2 296 examined subjects, 834 (36.3%) were affected by obesity. Of these, only 160 (19.1%) were affected by obesity alone while 674 (80.9%) showed other associated pathologies.


RESULTS
The prevalence of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis, hyperdyslipidemia and renal failure was significantly higher (P = 0.000) than in a control group of non-obese subjects comparable for sex and age.


CONCLUSIONS
In a large part of obese patients, the presence of insulin resistance was observed suggesting that this alteration can play a pivotal role in the development of some important metabolic and cardiovascular complications related to obesity.
Bertino
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Ardiri
A M
AM
Alì
F T
FT
Boemi
P M
PM
Cilio
D
D
Di Prima
P
P
Fisichella
A
A
Ierna
D
D
Neri
S
S
Pulvirenti
D
D
Urso
G
G
Mauceri
B
B
Valenti
M
M
Bruno
C M
CM
D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors