[Effectiveness and safety of Very Low Calory Diets in obese patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effectiveness, safety and adherence of Very Low Calory Diet (VLCD) in patients with obesity.


METHODS
Observational prospective descriptive study. Patients with BMI >30 kg/m2 who started VLCD were included. We arranged 3 pharmacotherapeutical consultations, picking up the variables: age, sex, BMI, side effects and number of VLCD cycles. We defined effectiveness as weight loss in absolute and relative terms and weight loss rate (kg/week); safety as incidence and severity of side effects by the Pharmacovigilance Spanish System (SEFV); and adherence by a SMAQ adapted questionnaire.


RESULTS
29 women and 15 men were included, with a mean of 42 years. 5 patients did not complete the follow-up. Effectiveness: weight loss average was 7kg (IQR 9,5 a 5,3) and relative of 6,7%, (p < 0.0005). The weight loss rate was 1,2kg per week (IQR 1,6 a 0,9).


RESULTS
33% of the patients described side effects. All of them were mild (37% constipation, 16% dizziness, 12% anxiety, 5% headache, 2% gases y 2% epigastrical pain). ADHERENCE: 84% of the patients were adherent by the SMAQ adapted questionnaire: 74% in the first cycle and 92% in the following ones. The relation between the number of cycles and the adherence did not get statistical differences (p = 0,1127).


CONCLUSIONS
Effectiveness and adherence to the treatment could improve in obese patients by setting interdisciplinary measures in the daily clinical practice.
Servicio de Farmacia. Hospital Univesitario Dr. Peset. Valencia.. saez_marbel@gva.es.
M
M
Sáez Belló
C
C
Segarra Villalba
E
E
Gras Colomer
P
P
Frias Ruiz
M
M
Climente Martí
D000328:Adult; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D061214:Patient Safety; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss