title: Obesity as an independent risk for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in 692 Japanese patients.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Both obesity and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data as to whether obesity is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients with sinus rhythm referred for a transthoracic echocardiography between July, 2007, and December, 2007, were prospectively included. Exclusion criteria were patient who had a history of congenital or valvular heart disease, treatment with pacemaker implantation or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, myocardial infarction, or impaired LV systolic function. Diastolic function was classified by an algorithm incorporating data from mitral and pulmonary venous flow indices, and Doppler tissue imaging. Body mass index (BMI) was evaluated as a categorical variable (normal weight <25.0 kg/m(2); overweight 25.0 to <30.0 kg/m(2); and obese ≥30 kg/m(2)). Logistic models were used to assess the risk of abnormal LV diastolic function associated with BMI categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total number of 692 patients who met all study criteria (mean 59 ± 15 year-old; 50% women, 48% hypertension, 16% diabetes, 26% overweight, 8% obese), 538 (78%) had abnormal LV diastolic function. In multivariate analyses adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors, obesity was independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio [OR]: 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-7.88; P = 0.03) compared to normal weight. LV mass did not weaken this association (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.08-7.68; P = 0.04). Overweight was not independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obesity was associated with LV diastolic dysfunction independent of cardiovascular risk factors and LV mass.
authors: Kinuko
authors: K
authors: Dote
authors: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine II, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address:miyasaka@hirakata.kmu.ac.jp.
authors: Yoko
authors: Y
authors: Miyasaka
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Tsujimoto
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Motohiro
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Maeba
authors: Yoshinobu
authors: Y
authors: Suwa
authors: Toshiji
authors: T
authors: Iwasaka