Abstract TP389: Achievement of Healthy Weight Loss Among Patients With Recent Ischemic Stroke or TIA and Obesity

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 30% of patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA are obese as defined by a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kgs/m 2 . Guidelines from professional and governmental organizations recommend that patients with obesity lose weight to improve cardiovascular risk factors including glucose control, diabetes risk, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. In this study, we examined the proportion of patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA who achieve these recommendations and meet two common goals for weight reduction within two years: 1) reduction of weight by 5% from baseline and reduction to a BMI <27 kgs/m 2 . Methods: Participants were men and women assigned to placebo treatment in the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) Trial who were obese at the time of enrollment. The IRIS trial was a randomized trial that examined the effectiveness of pioglitazone compared with placebo for prevention of stroke or MI among non-diabetic patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA and insulin resistance. The trial enrolled participants from 2005 to 2012. Participants were followed for a minimum of 28 months and were seen in-person and weighed annually. Results: Of the 1937 participants in the placebo arm of IRIS, 855 (44%) had BMI≥30 kgs/m 2 at entry. Mean age was 61 years (standard deviation, 10) and 59% were male. At one year, 788 patients with obesity at baseline remained in the trial with weight measured (10 died, 14 dropped-out, and 43 were missing weight). Among these patients, 133 (17%) had lost 5% of their body weight and 12 (2%) had achieved a BMI < 27 kgs/m 2 at 12 months. Two years from randomization, 22% had lost 5% of their body weight and 3% had achieved a BMI <27 kgs/m 2 . Conclusion: In this cohort of patients with ischemic stroke or TIA and obesity, less than a quarter achieved even modest goals for weight loss after one or two years. Clinical trials will be required to determine if failure to lose weight represents a lost opportunity for secondary stroke prevention. Trials can determine 1) if weight loss is effective for preventing recurrent stroke, cardiovascular disease and diabetes and for improving function after ischemic stroke or TIA and 2) the amount of weight loss that must be achieved to realize meaningful benefit.