Abstract
Obesity is currently a serious clinical problem, and it is estimated that by 2035, approximately 1.77 billion adults will be overweight 1.53 billion will be obese, and arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent comorbidities. One of the challenges associated with the correct approach to blood pressure among patients with obesity concerns its correct measurement. An alternative that has been used is measurement using automatic equipment, in addition to the usual positioning on the arm, also the wrist as the measurement site. Cardiovascular risk markers have been evaluated for sodium consumption, and it is considered that there is a strong relationship between excessive consumption and greater risk, including increased arterial stiffness. Objective: It was to evaluate whether blood pressure measurements obtained using automatic equipment on the arm and wrist are equivalent in patients with obesity, to analyze sodium consumption through urinary excretion, to evaluate the correlation between sodium consumption and blood pressure, to evaluate the correlation between sodium consumption and cardiovascular risk markers, and to observe markers related to lifestyle and health habits such as alcohol consumption, physical activity, smoking, sleep, work, lipid profile, glycemic profile, and renal function. Methods: A total of 47 patients treated at the Nutrology Outpatient Clinic of HCRP-USP in 2022 and 2023 were included. The inclusion criteria were patients aged between 20 and 60 years; both genders; Body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. The exclusion criteria were the presence of body deformities that prevented anthropometry and/or blood pressure measurement; the presence of arm circumference greater than that allowed for cuff use; previous bariatric surgery; pregnancy; and Failure to perform the requested laboratory tests. Personal, anthropometric, and laboratory data were collected from each patient. Results and Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure did not show any difference between measurements on the arm and wrist. Diastolic pressure was different, being lower on the wrist. 93.6% of patients had a daily consumption greater than 2 g/day, the limit recommended by the WHO. No correlation was found between sodium intake and blood pressure measurements taken on the arm and wrist, as well as correlations between sodium intake and glycemic profile, lipid profile, and renal function. The prevalence of diabetes was similar to that observed in other studies involving patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2 but was higher than the overall prevalence. The presence of dyslipidemia was higher than the overall prevalence and also higher than other studies involving only patients with obesity. Renal function was preserved in most patients and the few who showed signs of impairment were all diabetic and/or hypertensive.
Graphical Abstract