title: Effect of uncomplicated obesity on QT interval in young men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  QT prolongation and obesity are associated with ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. The relationship between uncomplicated obesity and QT interval prolongation is not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of uncomplicated obesity on QT interval in young men.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 122 men, including 59 obese patients and 63 controls, were recruited into the study. Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease were ineligible. Body mass index (BMI) of all patients was calculated. QT interval was measured from the precordial lead--V5, and corrected QT (QTC) was calculated using the Bazett's formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age, BMI, and waist circumference (WC) of obese patients and controls were as follows: 22.0 +/-3.0 years, 36.2 +/-2.2 kg/m(2), and 114 +/-8.1 cm; 22.6 +/-2.9 years, 24.7 +/-2.5 kg/m(2), and 81.6 +/-7.5 cm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the obese and control groups with regard to BMI and WC (P <0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of QTC (407.9 +/-17.1 ms vs. 397.7 +/-14.0 ms, respectively, P <0.001), systolic (126.9 +/-8.2 mmHg vs. 114.2 +/-11.1 mmHg, respectively, P <0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (78.3 +/-4.5 mmHg vs. 66.9 +/-10 mmHg, respectively, P <0.001). There was a positive correlation between QTC interval and both WC (r = 0.357, P <0.001) and BMI (r = 0.424, P <0.001). There was no association between QTC and blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uncomplicated obesity in young men is associated with QT interval prolongation. Weight gain may inversely affect cardiac repolarization in uncomplicated obesity.
authors.affiliation: Balmumcu Military Medical Center, Division of Internal Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. earslan89@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yiğiner
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yavaşoğlu
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozçelik
authors.forename: Ejder
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kardeşoğlu
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nalbant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology