Correlation of body weight with structure and function of left ventricle in elderly inpatients

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between the body weight and the structure and function of the left ventricle in the elderly inpatients, in order to emphasize the importance of body weight in the health management for elderly patients. Methods A total of 152 elderly inpatients meeting the enrollment criteria and providing informed consent were consecutively recruited. The height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), liver and kidney function, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood lipid, blood uric acid and structure and function of left ventricular were measured by anthropometry, biochemical examination and echocardiography respectively. The clinical characteristics, metabolic parameters, structure and function of left ventricular were compared among the low/normal weight, overweight and obesity groups. The correlation between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (E/A≤0.7) and the metabolic factors was analyzed. Results The incidences of lower/normal weight, overweight and obesity in elderly inpatients were 29.6% (45/152), 52.6% (80/152) and 17.8% (27/152) respectively. Compared with the lower/normal weight group, the level of systolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin(P=0.005), left atrial diameter(P=0.000), left ventricular posterior wall dimension(P=0.010), left ventricular diastolic diameter(P=0.010), left ventricular mass(P=0.000), relative wall thickness and septal thickness increased significantly in overweight and obesity groups (all P<0.05). A higher proportion of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was observed in overweight and obesity groups in the patients aging 60-69 years (P=0.028). There was positive correlation between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and BMI (P=0.022). Conclusions Overweight/obesity increases the risk of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction among elderly inpatients. The body weight management needs to be strengthened in health management for the elderly patients. Key words: Elderly inpatient; Body mass index; Left ventricle; Correlation