Abdominal obesity is associated with potassium depletion and changes in glucose homeostasis during diuretic therapy.
The activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important mechanism that contributes to hypertension in obese individuals. Thiazide diuretics also activate the RAS in response to volume contraction and can lead to a decrease in serum potassium values and glucose metabolism abnormalities. To evaluate the impact of abdominal obesity on potassium depletion and glucose homeostasis in hypertensive patients receiving thiazide therapy, the authors studied 329 hypertensive patients without known diabetes or impaired renal function. Patients were stratified into 2 major groups according to whether they used thiazide diuretic therapy, and each group was further divided in 2 subgroups according to the presence of abdominal obesity. The authors demonstrated that obese patients receiving diuretic therapy had lower plasma potassium levels and higher glucose values compared with nonobese patients receiving diuretic therapy. In conclusion, abdominal obesity predisposes to potassium depletion during diuretic therapy in association with effects on glucose homeostasis.
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Oswaldo Ramos Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil. lymariosa@terra.com
Lydia Sebba Souza
LS
Mariosa
Fernando Flexa
FF
Ribeiro-Filho
Marcelo Costa
MC
Batista
Andréa Harumi
AH
Hirota
Rodolfo Leão
RL
Borges
Artur Beltrame
AB
Ribeiro
Maria Teresa
MT
Zanella
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004232:Diuretics; D002097:C-Reactive Protein