Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Black African Obese Patients: A Multicentric Comparative Study in 1512 Patients in Lome (Togo)

Abstract

Background: In most cases obesity is associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, making obese patients high-risk subjects. Objective :The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients versus patients of normal weight. Patients and Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, comparative study, which run from May 1st, 2010 to April 31st, 2011, we screened for cardiovascular risk factors in 2 groups of outpatients in 3 hospitals in Lome: Group 1: obese patients (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and Group 2: normal weight patients (BMI=18-25 kg/m2). Results: Of 1512 patients seen in the outpatient departments, 515 were obese (prevalence 34.1%), with an average age of 48.4 ± 11.2 years. Obesity was more common in women (42%). A comparative analysis showed that other cardiovascular risk factors were statistically significantly more common in obese patients than in normal weight patients (p < 0,05): sedentary lifestyle (88% vs. 54%), hypertension (64.3% vs. 37.2%), hypercholesterolemia (44.1% vs. 23%), diabetes (30.3% vs. 9.3%), diet high in fats and sugars (67.2% vs. 32%) but low in fruit and vegetables (62.5% vs. 23.6%). Conclusion: Obesity is a public health problem in Togo and is often associated with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is important to educate the population concerning preventive measures in the fight against obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors.