We prospectively evaluated bodyplethysmographic and echocardiographic data in asymptomatic subjects undergoing a structured one-year weight reduction program.
RESULTS: 74 subjects (32 male, 42 female; mean age 42±12 years) with an average BMI 42.5±7.9,
body weight 123.7±24.9 kg were enrolled.
Body weight correlated negatively with vital capacity (R = -0.42, p<0.001), FEV1 (R = -0.497, p<0.001) and positively with P 0.1 (R = 0.32, p = 0.02) and myocardial mass (R = 0.419, p = 0.002). After 4 months the study subjects had significantly reduced their
body weight (-26.0±11.8 kg) and BMI (-8.9±3.8) associated with a significant improvement of lung function (absolute changes: vital capacity +5.5±7.5%
pred., p<0.001; FEV1+9.8±8.3%
pred., p<0.001, ITGV+16.4±16.0%
pred., p<0.001, SR tot -17.4±41.5%
pred., p<0.01). Moreover, P0.1/Pimax decreased to 47.7% (p<0.01) indicating a decreased respiratory load. The change of FEV1 correlated significantly with the change of
body weight (R = -0.31, p = 0.03). Echocardiography demonstrated reduced myocardial wall thickness (-0.08±0.2 cm, p = 0.02) and improved left ventricular myocardial performance index (-0.16±0.35, p = 0.02). Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (+0.14, p = 0.03) and pulmonary outflow acceleration time (AT +26.65±41.3 ms, p = 0.001) increased.
CONCLUSION: Even in asymptomatic individuals
obesity is associated with abnormalities in pulmonary and cardiac function and increased myocardial mass. All the abnormalities can be reversed by a weight reduction program.